NINE volunteers have been honoured for helping a Hampshire shop to raise almost £1m for charity.

The dedicated team of stalwarts work at the Lymington branch of Help the Aged, which has collected £907,000 since it opened in 1998.

The Mayor of Lymington, Martina Humber, presented them with awards during celebrations to mark the shop's tenth anniversary.

Trina Finney, general manager of Help the Aged Retail South, said: "I'd like to extend my great appreciation to the team of volunteers who provide such support to the shop staff at Lymington.

"Without their hard work and dedication, and that of their colleagues around the country, it would not be possible for Help the Aged to run its 365 shops, which bring in 40 per cent of the charity's income."

Rosemary Maguire, field operations manager for the area, said: "This presentation is to thank the volunteers for their invaluable commitment to the shop's fundraising activities.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their custom and also for their donations of stock over the past ten years.

"Their support has greatly contributed to the success of this shop."