PRODUCTS made out of scrap material by a charity shop volunteer have a global appeal.

For a cushion produced by Dru Ellis (79), of Hexham, was snapped up at the town’s Relate charity shop, in which she volunteers, by a visitor from Texas.

Since recently taking up the voluntary post at the shop, Mrs Ellis has taken to making cushions and seat covers from whatever material she can lay her hands on, before putting the items up for sale to raise money for the charity.

And they have proved a hit with customers, with her first item heading stateside.

Mrs Ellis said: “Now I’m retired, I’m at that stage where I can do fun things rather than doing things for money and it’s rewarding to be able to produce things for the charity shop.”