A CHARITY dedicated to the care and welfare of animals has opened a new shop to help its work.

The Durham and District RSPCA has opened its second outlet in the former Blockbuster video rental shop in Beech Road, Framwellgate Moor, Durham, a short distance from the old fire brigade HQ.

The charity has had a shop in Langley Moor for more than ten years and decided to increase its presence in another part of the city.

Much of its work entails the rescue and care of abandoned cats and dogs.

They are kept at Deerness Kennels, Langley Moor, until a new home with loving owners can be found.

Kath Myatt, Durham and District RSPCA’s deputy dog co-ordinator, said: “It is our main income apart from other fund-raising and we have been lucky at the Langley Moor shop with getting donations from the public.

“We want to branch out and open another shop.

“It is on a route to Newton Hall, a busy road, and we hope to get more presence in that area than we have had.”

The shop is open from 10am to 4pm Mondays to Saturday and has a manager and a team of volunteers.

Mrs Myatt said the shop already plenty of stock but more volunteers were needed.

The charity covers an area that includes Consett and Stanley, Brandon and Esh Winning.

The official opening of the shop was held on Saturday (August 2) and was performed by local RSPCA Chief Inspector Mark Gent and Tom Northorpe, five, the winner of an RSPCA poster competition held at Pittington Primary School.