A CHARITY shop has been handed a lifeline.

Relate North-East's shop in Tubwell Row, Darlington, is one of the charity's biggest earners.

But it looked as though the charity would no longer be able to afford the rent until negotiations with Sanderson's Estate Agents proved fruitful.

The rent was reduced enough for the lease to be extended for another year.

Relate's marketing and development executive, Alison Dorman, said: "It is absolutely vital income. We are desperate for money at the moment, so to be able to keep the Darlington shop open at the moment was a great boost."