A NEW second-hand furniture shop in Hexham is now open.

Tynedale Hospice Furniture at Home opened yesterday (October 22), with all funds going towards providing care for its community's most vulnerable residents and their families.

The shop follows smaller Tynedale Hospice at Home outlets in Hexham, Prudhoe, and Ponteland, but, at 3,000 square feet, it's by far their biggest store and specialises in donated pre-loved furniture.

The ribbon was cut by Tynedale Hospice at Home volunteer Barry Glendinning, a local joiner, at a special opening ceremony on Thursday (October 21).

Tynedale Hospice Furniture at Home Shop Manager Duncan Christie told guests at the ceremony: "I'm really really excited to let you see the shop.

"It's been a labour of love putting it together from the starting point, with an empty shell, to where we are now.

"It's taken a lot of help along the way - a lot of businesses have supplied goods and services - so thanks very much to them.

"We have also been completely overwhelmed by the quality of donations received. There really is some lovely furniture here.

"It also means people need to keep coming back because every week, new furniture will arrive."

Charlotte Pearson, Head of Income Generation at Tynedale Hospice at Home, said: "This is a shop built by Tynedale people to help their community. That's the only way to describe it.

"It was built with love and care, selling pre-loved furniture, to provide care for our loved ones.

"To see the ribbon cut today and to see that huge space filled by the generosity of local people - and knowing every penny raised will stay local and help those who need help most - it's been so special."

Charlotte paid tribute to the team of volunteers, local business supports including MKM Building Supplies and everyone who donated furniture.

The new store is located just off the Bridge End Industrial Estate in Hexham.

Details on opening times and free furniture collection for good quality items are on the Tynedale Hospice at Home website - www.tynedalehospice.com

Tynedale Hospice at Home provides three main services - end-of-life nursing care in the home, hospital transport, and post-bereavement support.