DESPITE the arctic conditions, there was a queue of customers waiting at the door of the new British Heart Foundation charity shop when it opened for the first time at 11am last Wednesday morning, in Holsworthy.

There to welcome them was the manager Lorena Pascoe, the assistant manager Lynn Wishart and some of their 12 volunteers. On sale were items of used clothes, shoes, toys, CDs and bric-a-brac as well as new hats, scarves and jewellery.

Southwest area manager Melanie Kowalski who lives at Pyworthy, said when the former tool shop became vacant she saw the potential of the premises, despite there already being three charity shops in the Square. She was grateful for the support they had received from local people. After all, they were raising money to fight the UK's greatest killer: heart disease. They were always pleased to receive donations of items to sell and welcomed new volunteers.