VOLUNTEERS finding employment and retirement from voluntary work has left the Oxfam charity shop in Penarth appealing for more helpers.

The town centre based charity shop is now appealing for volunteers to fill positions in the 'front of shop' team.

The Oxfam shop in Penarth has always had the support of the local community, which over the years has resulted in numerous volunteers coming forward to help Oxfam raise funds for their work at home and abroad. Now shop manager Jayne Luxton is seeking new volunteers who enjoy meeting members of the public and working as part of a small, diverse and committed team.

Jayne Luxton said: "We are so grateful to all the volunteers who have given so many years of their time to help us in the shop, some of whom have now moved on to other things. Our current volunteer team includes people from diverse backgrounds from students, the unemployed and retired.

"Recently we put out an appeal for volunteers to help us price up books and we had a tremendous response. Now we urgently need new volunteers to complete our volunteer team by helping us with our front of shop work. Volunteers will need to be able to offer at least a half day a week and be willing to be trained in using the till and customer care. An interest in meeting people and the work of Oxfam would be helpful."

Denise Smith, a regular volunteer in the shop for over 20 years, said: "I love working on the till in Oxfam. You meet so many different customers some of whom you see regularly. I enjoy the camaraderie of working with other volunteers and the satisfaction of making a small, but important, contribution to Oxfam's fund raising."

Anyone who would like to know more should ring or call in and ask for Jayne Luxton, shop manager, Oxfam Penarth Shop, 8/8a Windsor Street, Penarth. Tel: 02920 706358