A BRITISH stage and television actor helped a Worcester charity shop celebrate its first birthday.

Robert Daws, known for his recent role as Dr Choake on the award-winning show Poldark, popped into Barnardo’s in St Martin's Quarter on Friday, September 29 for the celebration event.

Volunteers as well as shop manager Sarah Woodward, gathered outside the one-year-old shop to meet the 58-year-old actor, who was the face of popular TV drama The Royal as Dr Gordon Ormerod, which had an eight year run until 2011.

The star also helped cut a a specially decorated cake.

Speaking at the celebration, Mr Daws, who has supported the charity for more than 20 years, said: "I have been doing work with the charity since 1995- it is favourite charity.

"That charity really deal with a lot of problems affecting children. Everyone who works for them is marvellous – from the workers in this shop.

"I am proud to be associated with them for so long."

Since its opening in September last year, the store has received more than 1,100 bags of donations.

Manager Sarah Woodward, who took over the store in October last year, said: "It is brilliant -we have been well supported."

Volunteer Lynda Morgan said: "It was slow to start with – people had to find us – it has been a little bit at a time."

Shopper Sarah Jenkins said: "When I first came here I was drawn to the displays. It is set out nice and neatly not like a jumble sale."

Mr Daws has been starring in the Alan Ayckbourn comedy How The Other Half Loves at The Malvern Theatre.

Speaking on the show, he said: "It has been good- everyone is tremendous. Malvern has a lovely theatre."

The store, which has 14 volunteers aged from just 16 years old up to 70, is the charity’s second shop in the city. The first is in nearby Mealchapen Street.

The store is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm and on Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

Staff welcome donations of good-quality clothes, books, toys, games, accessories and bric-a-brac, as well as offers of help from potential volunteers.

For more information call (01905) 23034 or visit barnardos.org.uk.