STAFF and volunteers welcomed the Lord Mayor of York to the opening of a new charity shop in York.

The new RSPCA shop in Goodramgate was officially opened by Coun Julie Gunnell. It was also announced the charity’s other shop in Gillygate would remain open.

Angela Hunter, RSPCA York branch manager, said keeping both shops open was not the charity’s original plan, but would help raise the £150,000 it needs to update its Landing Lane facilities.

The appeal has already raised £5,000 towards its total in less than a month.

She said: “We’re very lucky that we have some very good donators who give us quality clothes to sell and helps raise the money the charity needs.

“We’re very excited about it and have had a really good couple of days trading.

“We’re getting a lot of compliments about how airy it is. We’ve gone for a boutique look.”

The charity’s Gillygate store is closed for refurbishment and will reopen on March 20. The appeal to celebrate 150 years of the charity in York by raising the £150,000 will be officially launched at Guildhall on May 10.