A CHARITY shop which has raised more than £750,000 has closed down after 20 years of business.

Bosses of the Oxfam shop in Broadway, Accrington, said that problems, including the economic downturn, had meant it is no longer viable.

Irene Balderstone, 80, has managed the store since it first opened in 1988 as one of the first charity shops in the town.

She said: “It is a very sad day. I am very proud to have been involved in the store these past 20 years.

"Not one person who has ever worked here has ever taken a penny out of the money raised, even for transport expenses.

“The shop has always sold classy goods, it has not been like a jumble sale and we are proud of that.”

Irene was assisted in the running of the shop by 26 fellow volunteers.

She said the current lease for the shop has now run out and bosses at Oxfam decided that it was no longer viable to continue.

Economic problems, paired with the fact that a paid shop manager would have to be employed if Irene retired, have led to the closure, she said.

Irene, of Cleveley’s Road, Accrington was a primary teacher at St John’s School in Accrington and earlier in Moor End Primary School, Oswaldtwistle, before she began work at the charity shop.

She added: “There are so many loyal customers that will miss us now that we are gone. I think it is such a shame.

“There have been so many changes in Accrington since we first opened.

“There are a tremendous amount of charity shops in the town now and maybe that affected the thinking of Oxfam when it came to renewing the lease.”

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: “It is a shame and shows that no shops are immune from the credit crunch.

“The shop will be a loss to Accrington town centre as will Irene who has been a very enthusiastic member of the shop community and has contacted me on many occasions over the years.”