Sandbach Oxfam celebrated its 50th birthday in style today (Tuesday) with a visit from the Mayor of Sandbach's consort and the town's very own "Charity Shop Girl".

The Bold Street shop opened on April 12th, 1972 and still has one member of staff who has been there nearly 50 years – Mary Whittingham.

The plucky 81-year-old still volunteers, sorting through games and toys as well as a host of other items at the shop.

Sandbach Mayor's wife, Christina Price Jones, was delighted to go along to the 50th birthday celebrations which included homemade cakes and a raffle to raise money for Oxfam's "Unwrapped".    

The current manager is Jane Beeston, who along with 26 volunteers, helps run the busy shop and sort through 400 bags a week which are donated regularly to the popular shop.

Previous manager, Kathleen Knox, was there at the birthday celebrations. She still volunteers and remembers one of the oddest things donated to the shop.

"We had a false leg once and sent it out to Bosnia. It was the time of the Bosnia conflict."

Sandbach-based "Charity Shop Girl" aka Jenni shops all over the region at charity shops and has been shopping at the Sandbach one for 11 years or so.

She said: "It was great to go along and join in today's celebrations. I enjoy shopping here and look forward to many more years to come shopping here."