OXFAM has moved base to a bigger property at the corner of Skipton High Street.

The shop had its official opening on Wednesday and there was steady stream of customers turning out to view the new property with coffee and cakes on offer.

The first Oxfam shop was opened on Alma Terrace in the late 1960s.

It then relocated to the high street around 17 years ago but for the last 13 years, and more seriously over the last nine, shop managers have sought to find a bigger property.

Shop manager Walter De Buck said: "We had to do the shop up a bit and work to a very strict budget. We hope to regain our investment in a few years and we are very pleased that we have finally found a bigger shop."

A gallery section dedicated to the work of local artists will be set aside in the shop. This will consist of original prints and paintings.

Clothes, games and confectionery are also on the shelves. Oxfam is the biggest second hand book retailer in the UK.

Oxfam has a team of dedicated volunteers but it is constantly looking for new helpers, if only to give up an hour or two of their time each week.

Irmeli Benjamin, also a shop manager, said that she was pleased with the new shop and felt it was the right size.

"We didn't want to be down a side street and we needed room for storage," she explained.

Irmeli also added that between 2001 to 2002 Oxfam supported 5,600 projects all over the world.

She said there were around 50 volunteers at Skipton, adding: "Quite a few people have been here since the beginning and without their help there would be no Oxfam."

If anyone would like to donate to the Oxfam shop and have difficulties bringing items they can call 01756 798347 and volunteers will try to organise a pick-up.