ST ROCCO’S is celebrating being top of the shops after scooping a national retail award.

The hospice picked up the award for the most profitable retail operation for charities with between six and 10 shops at the Charity Retail Association Awards.

And the charity puts it down to the help from volunteers and supporters who have made the stores such a success.

Eric Russell, trading manger at St Rocco’s, said: “We have so many volunteers in the shops so our costs are at an absolute minimum and we don’t waste any money. It all goes through to the charity.

“We would like to thank our donors for giving us our stock and those who come to buy things from one of our eight shops.

“We have over 300 volunteers who work in our shops who are the best.”

The hospice has shops across the borough and sell everything from clothing, bric-a-brac to furniture at its dedicated furniture shop in the town centre.

And each shop has its own personality with regulars and volunteers added to the atmosphere.

“We get lots of stock and we are very lucky as some charities have to work hard to get stock but we are very well supported by the town,” added Eric.

“We are so well supported by the town including the stock we get and from those who come in and buy our products.

“The volunteers are good at what they do in picking out the right items. They run the shops as a very tight ship.”

The shops also help to raise thousands of pounds to go towards the vital treatment the hospice offers both to people who have life limiting conditions and their families.

To find out more about volunteering or donating to the shops visit stroccos.org.uk.