A NEW charity shop has brought in around £15,000 of vital cash in just a few months.

Bay Search and Rescue charity shop was established four months ago to help the team generate income towards its £70,000 annual running costs.

Based at Greystone House, Kents Bank Road, Grange-Over-Sands and manned by around 18 volunteers, the new shop sells various items.

Despite its success it needs more donations. Officials are looking for CD’s, DVD’s and good quality second hand items - including old clothing that is 'ready for the bin' as it can claim funds for its waste.

Bay Search and Rescue Team is a small charity and needs a regular flow of money to help fund its vital work responding to emergencies both in Morecambe Bay and water-based and weather-releated call outs across Cumbria.

Janet Davis, shop manager, said: "We are always very grateful for all your donations and apologise if we have had to turn any of your items away due to lack of space.

"We don’t have a very large storage area and sometimes if we have had lots of donations that day, we struggle to find space for more.

"But please continue to try as we will always do our best to accommodate. For these reasons, please could we ask that donations are not left outside the shop when we are closed."

Recently the shop introduced late night opening hours to help those who cannot visit during the day.

The shop is prepared to open for an hour in the evening exclusively for a group of six to eight friends.

Mrs Davis paid thanks to Grange Co-op for coming to its rescue recently by donating carrier bags The shop is current seeking volunteers to help on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Volunteers will be trained and will help with sorting and pricing stock as well as till work.

Anyone interested should call in to the shop or telephone 015395 83312.