For 30 years during the run-up to Christmas, there has been a Cards for Good Causes pop-up shop in Axminster.

But sadly this year, Axminster will miss out as the multi-charity organisation is cutting down its nationwide stores from 300 to 75, after sales were significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic last year.

The pop-up shops sell a variety of Christmas cards all in aid of different charities, and are usually well supported, but last year's trading season was hit by COVID-19.

Cards For Good Causes will this year only be running its largest pop-up shops, as well as concentrating on selling Christmas cards online.

The team of volunteers who managed the Axminster shop said: "It is sad that Cards for Good Causes will not be here this year because there has been a shop in Axminster for 30 years now.

"We hope that this will be a temporary measure and that it will be back to normal in the future, but in the meantime we need to let our regular customers know that they won't be able to find us in the town this year.

"Instead, there are other ways of purchasing cards through Cards for Good Causes either from the website www.cardsforcharity.co.uk or for those who cannot, or do not like to order online, there is a shop opening soon in Exeter at the usual site in St Martin's Church in the Cathedral Close.

"Cards for Good Causes will also be on sale at Bridport Tourist Information Centre.

"Alternatively, many of our local charities will be producing their own cards and selling them from the charity shops in Axminster, including the Hospice Shop, the Friends of ARC (the mental health charity) and Axminster Care Service at Charity Togs, all in South Street."

Other local businesses will also be stocking Christmas cards which return a percentage of profit to charity, including Acorn Gift Shop and Archway Bookshop, which will also stock traditional advent calendars.

The local Cards for Good Causes team is grateful for the continued support of Axminster and the surrounding area, and hope to return if possible next year.