A CHARITY store attracted the attention of shoppers yesterday when a musician appeared in its window display.

Shelter on Post House Wynd, in Darlington, created a music display and hired piper Neil Chambers as part of a competition across the region's 21 shops to arrange the best window.

The idea was thought up by shop manager Jodie Tassi who wanted to do something fun and a little different to mark the shops recent opening.

Ms Tassi said: "One of the main reasons I wanted to do it is because charity shop windows are renowned for being a bit drab and not very inviting."

Shelter's shop competes alongside many other charities on Post House Wynd since it opened in June.

Ms Tassi said: "There are so many so I thought we needed something to draw people in."

She saw Mr Chambers busking at the end of the street and thought that he would be great. The shop stocks many musical items including vinyl records, songbooks and sheet music. Until recently they also had a violin.

Ms Tassi is hoping to hold a fashion show in the shop later in the year with the help of a number of young designers.

Area manager Chris Broom said: "The charity is not just about the homeless. It's also about helping people in bad and inadequate housing."

Shelter provides advice, support and legal aid for people with a range of housing problems. Its services are in demand now more than ever as houses are being repossessed across the country and two million people are falling behind with their rent and mortgage repayments.