VOLUNTEERS are urgently needed to save a Preston charity shop from closure.

Inga Mather, manager of The Catholic Charity Shop, Plungington Road, works six days a week at the shop which was opened by her late husband, Dennis, 11 years ago.

It provides funds for the Catholic Caring Services to Children and Community charity which provides help for people with disabilities, the deaf and dumb, a children's home and a day care centre.

Although a handful of volunteers regularly give their time to help, Mrs Mather, 67, often has to run the shop single-handed in order to keep it open.

She is seeking about five more volunteers to ease the pressure.

"The volunteers are dedicated but obviously not all of them can work all the time," said Mrs Mather.

"All I ask is for people to give just a couple of hours."

"Obviously the shop is very close to my heart.

"I don't even want to think about what would happen if I had to leave. "

"We've put adverts in religious newspapers and we got one woman who came forward, but other than that there's been no one.

"There aren't that many charities helping the deaf and dumb so I'm pleading with people to please help."

To help call 01772 887181.