Staff at a charity shop were joined by a special guest to celebration its 20th anniversary.

Those who work at St Luke’s Hospice charity shop, in the Ladygate Centre, in Wickford, met David Harrison, mayor of Basildon, for the special event.

The shop supports the work of the hospice in Nethermayne, Basildon.

There was plenty of cheer and cake at the shop’s birthday event on Tuesday.

David Emery, head of trading and retail development at St Luke’s, said: “St Luke’s Hospice is very proud to have been trading in Wickford for 20 years – originally in the High Street and for the past few years here, in the Ladygate Centre.

“During that time we have received tremendous support in so many ways from the local community for which we are very grateful.”

David Harrison paid tribute to the work of St Luke’s Hospice and said: ‘’I have a great fondness for the hospice and the work it carries out in our community and am proud to say that I have been associated with it since the very early days.”