I AM writing on behalf of Oxfam to thank the people of Blackburn for their support over the past 18 years in our Lord Square shop.

Sadly, as part of the redevelopment of the square, we will be closing the shop tomorrow. However, we cannot close without celebrating all that the shop has achieved. In the time the shop has been open, over £1.3million has been raised for Oxfam's work.

The customers, donors and campaigners, the dedicated people who have knitted blankets and tops for our work. All of you who have supported over 20 emergency appeals including work in Ethiopia, Sudan, Bosnia, Rwanda and Cambodia and continue to donate to Southern Africa and Iran, have our warm and sincere thanks.

Thanks also go to the many Blackburn organisations which have supported us, especially Radio Lancashire and Soda.

Finally I want to thank volunteers, past and present, who have dedicated so much time and effort into running the shop and making such a vital contribution to our lifesaving work.

Thank you Blackburn.

MRS LORI HOMAYON-JONES, Oxfam Shop, Lord Square, Blackburn.