A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl made the first purchase at new charity shop in a market town.

Niamh Swainston, of Leyburn, was first in the queue to purchase a pink handbag just minutes after the new St Teresa’s Hospice outlet in Leyburn began trading.

The store replaces a smaller unit in the town’s Commercial Square.

Located in Market Place, it boasts a furniture department, home ware section, children’s clothing and toy shop and a dedicated bookshop.

Items of donated furniture, many recently restored by staff and volunteers at the charity’s warehouse base in Darlington, were quickly snapped up.

Store manager Lorna Clarkson, said: “We are delighted with the support we have received. Customers are now able to buy high quality goods at low prices, and all profits go towards providing vital free services for people with life-limiting illnesses.

"Thank you to those who have made this venture a much simpler task.”