The reuse shop at Atherstone's closest recycling centre - Lower House Farm - has reopened this week as the second national lockdown comes to an end.

Run by the charity Age UK, the shop is an Aladdin's cave of quality preowned goods, including household items, tools, furniture, toys and bikes.

All items are quarantined and then checked for safety and quality before sale, and there are many bargains to be snapped up in time for Christmas.

The shops are welcoming donations across a range of goods, including: furniture, home furnishings, bikes, garden equipment, toys and books. All electrical and electronic equipment is PAT tested before sale.

Whilst booking is required to deposit recycling or waste at the recycling centre, booking is not required to visit the Age UK shops.

The reuse shop at the Baddesley Ensor site, which reopened for business yesterday (December 2), is open Monday to Friday - 10.00am - 3.00pm and at weekends - 9.30am 4.00pm

Atherstone's recycling centre has remained open during the second national lockdown, and appointments for recycling can still be booked by [L]https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/hwrc[L+]following this link.

Cllr Heather Timms, portfolio holder for Environment and Heritage and Culture said "I would like to thank our reuse shop charity partners, who have worked hard to make sure that these six shops have been able to reopen at the end of the national lockdown. The staff and volunteers are very much appreciated.

"If you are having a sort out in the run up to Christmas, please donate any preloved items listed to the shops. Donating and buying reused items gives the charities a much-needed boost to funds, which are spent locally for the benefit of local people.

"The wide-ranging reuse activity across Warwickshire gives us all access to good quality second-hand items at a fraction of the price of buying new. It's not only good for our pockets and our local communities, it is very good at reducing our environmental impact, reducing the need for new raw materials and reducing transport and pollution. Increasing reuse is an easy way for us all to reduce our carbon emissions and tackle climate change."