A DORSET charity has been celebrating ten years at its Dorchester depot.

Local reuse charity Dorset Reclaim held an open day with a half price sale to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the facility in the town town.

Dorset Reclaim opened its first depot in Bournemouth in 1998 but quickly realised its services were needed across the whole of the county.

Set up with the idea of helping low income families furnish their homes, the charity collects unwanted good quality furniture and electrical goods free of charge from generous local householders, making the items available at its depots to local people, after all necessary work and safety checks have been carried out.

Ray Tovey, the project Manager and first employee of the charity, said he felt privileged to have been able to help with the impact the charity had made.

He said: "From starting with one employee, Dorset Reclaim now employs 28 people in a variety of roles, many of whom were initially volunteers at the project, proving that local initiatives to provide work experience and training can make a big difference."

Angie Huxford, the manager at the Dorchester depot said: "The charity would be unable to exist and help so many people without the tremendous efforts of the volunteers.

"Since the day this depot opened we have been able to help over 10,000 families to furnish their home and the volunteers have shifted an amazing 56,993 items to help us do this."

Chairman of the charity Roy Osborough added: "Everybody involved with the charity, from start to finish, is a winner, which is a wonderful achievement.

"Our work has made a real difference to the people of Dorset and particularly to the individual lives of those directly touched by their work."

Both Ray and Angie were on hand to welcome people to the open day at the Dorchester depot.