A FREE clothes shop for the needy has seen a surge in donations since moving into a new building.

Maggs Clothing Project relocated from Sansome Place, in Worcester, to The Tything in November last year.

Worcester Municipal Charities bought the new building for the project, which offers clothing to homeless and vulnerable people.

The centre, which received a few bin bags of donations a week last year, now gets more than six bags of clothes every time it opens.

Val Turner, volunteer coordinator for Maggs Day Centre, said: "Part of the reason is footfall.

"We are now far more prominent in The Tything. Before, we were tucked away in Sansome Place. It was very cramped.

"Now we have lots of space. It's more like a shopping experience now. There's also much more community involvement now.

"We have got a big sign outside and people phone up and say 'I've got stuff, do you want it'."

Ms Turner said that rough sleepers, whose clothes often become wet or are stolen, can pick up items at the store once a week.

She added that people also get a confidence boost with a new set of clothes.

The centre helps homeless people, mental health patients and socially isolated individuals who are sent to the service with a referral form.

The store, which is opposite the Saracen's Head pub, is open between 9am and noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

During these hours people are able to pick up free clothes and locals can drop off donations.

The new centre, which used to be an Asian supermarket, can hold far more clothing than the previous site.

There is also an activity centre in the building, offering classes on art, cooking, creative writing and sewing.

To volunteer with Maggs Day Centre go on the charity's website www.maggsdaycentre.co.uk