MORE than £3,000 was raised during the opening weekend of a new charity shop.

The North West Air Ambulance Charity's new store in Cherry Tree, Blackburn, has opened its doors for the first time and so far raised £3,500 towards maintaining the service.

In March alone, it carried out 145 urgent missions with the majority taking place in Lancashire.

Cllr Hussain Akhtar, mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, cut the ribbon with the air ambulance one of his chosen charities.

Maggie Garnett, 11, from St Luke and St Philip Primary School in Blackburn and Adam McKenna, six, from Feniscowles Primary School were also announced as winners of a drawing competition.

They beat 120 entries and will have their designs displayed in store and later made into a window poster.

Manager Lyndsay Whittle said: "It has been brilliant to meet our new neighbours in the local community.

"Not only have Blackburn residents been extremely generous in donating their unwanted items, but they have welcomed us with open arms, and we couldn’t be more grateful."

The new store offers quality used furniture, clothes accessories, books and bric-a-brac. Anyone wishing to donate can do so via the store's 'donation station' or via the nwaa.net website.

There are also volunteering opportunities.

For more information visit the store or call 01254 958 962.