Axminster Care Service (ACS) has announced that it is reopening its Togs charity shop in South Street.

A spokesperson said: "The shop has been thoroughly cleaned and set up with hand sanitizers and a one-way system to accommodate the social distancing along with signs to keep people safe.

"During the past few months, it has been the hub for Axminster Community Emergency Response (ACER), with a group of volunteers manning the phones each day for emergency assistance, prescription collect and deliveries and sometimes just a chat to keep in touch with the outside world during those unprecedented times.

"This service is starting to wind down now with prescription deliveries twice a week for the most venerable and those in need still.

"We are now working with Axe Skip Hire who are able, with the bulk collection service they offer, to take away our un-saleable goods for recycling.

"Regular updates will be posted within the shop so please call in and have a look around."

"We look forward to seeing you in the shop over the coming weeks."

ACS is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year and since formation in 1986 it has raised tens of thousands of pounds to support numerous charities and local events as well as funding community services.

A significant percentage of these funds came from ACS's Togs Charity Shop in South Street, which is manned by a team of volunteers, most of whom are over 70 years-old. But they were forced to close the shop when the country went into lockdown. The charity also had to suspend its voluntary car service.

Before lockdown Axminster Care Service had donated £1,000 to Axminster Primary School to help feed vulnerable families, £1,000 for Axminster Churches Together for food parcels and £1,000 for the town's food bank.

As well as making donations to a number of local organisations and events throughout the years, ACS also provides a car service to transport clients to hospital and doctor's appointments and has given financial assistance to local churches, the Job Centre, families in need, food banks, local schools and colleges, the centre for people with disabilities, the Scouts, heritage and arts centres, the local sports centre, bereavement counselling and the senior citizens' centre.

ACS gives away between £40,000 and £50,000 every year and in 2019 they pumped £90,000 into local good causes. Their funds come from the proceeds of the Togs Charity Shop and donations. They recently received £1,000 from the Rotary Club of Axminster.

The charity is run by ten trustees with Dr James Vann serving as chairman and Caroline Lavender as secretary.