A TOWN Crier announced the opening of Wirral Hospice St John's seventh charity shop.

Carl Lecke was joined by the charity's mascot John Bear and inpatients ward manager, Tracey Meyers, to officially open the doors of its new premises on St John's Pavement at Pyramids Shopping Centre, Birkenhead.

Local guitarist Gavin Haze, gave up his free time to entertain shoppers and staff were also on hand to talk about the hospice's work.

The latest shop in the hospice portfolio complements the six existing locations at Heswall, West Kirby, Moreton, Liscard, New Brighton and Claughton.

The store will be managed by Kama Nicholson, who joins Wirral Hospice St John's from Scope, the disability equality charity.

She will be assisted by Pam Maunder who volunteered at Wirral Hospice St John's before successfully applying for an assistant manager's job.

Kama said: "Wirral Hospice St John's is at the heart of our whole Wirral community and we're really excited about delivering an excellent shopping experience in Birkenhead.

"We're so appreciative of everyone who donates their pre-loved goods and, of course, our dedicated volunteers who are all absolutely vital in helping us to raise those much-needed funds for our hospice's specialist care and support.

"Everyone who comes here can be assured of a heartfelt welcome and our grateful thanks."

Kama and Pam will be ably assisted by a dedicated team of volunteers.

More 140 volunteers, from all across the borough, give up their precious time every week to make a massive contribution in the shops, helping with various retailing duties, sorting stock, merchandising, window-dressing and customer services.

A spokesman for charity said: "Larger items of furniture, beds, sofas, three-piece suites and the like, alongside clothes, accessories, books, jewellery and other bric-a-brac are in constant demand.

"The new shop will be open seven days a week."