A charity shop is pleading for more volunteers to help run its store to prevent increasingly reduced trading hours due to low footfall.

The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity shop, on Ongar High Street, has only been able to open for a limited number weekdays and 9am - 1pm on Sundays.

Head of retail Alison Matthews, has managed the charity’s nine stores across Essex, east London and Hertfordshire for the past nine years.

She said: “We have been struggling quite badly in Ongar since last year for some reason.

“These shops are the absolute lifeblood of the charity and we know there’s still a desire for the shops because of how busy it is and the amount of donations we receive from the public.

“We have seven retail shops, operated by a fantastic team of volunteers, and are always looking for additional help.

Founded in 1999, the Helen Rollason charity was created in honour of the BBC broadcaster who died from colon cancer.

Ms Rollason’s vision for the charity was: “Good quality of life while coping with cancer is the most important gift a sick person can receive. It should be available to everyone.”

The centres are known for providing support for cancer patients at all stages, receiving emotional well-being alongside their medical treatment.

Ms Matthews added: “We are always receiving new stock so our shelves are regularly filled with fresh stock and different items.

“If you can spare a few hours, have a good sense of humour and enjoy meeting new people, we would love to have your help with volunteering in our Ongar charity shop.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity in Ongar, please call the fundraising office on 01245 380719.