A MALVERN charity shop that has been open for more than 30 years is closing its doors next month.

The Community Action shop in Worcester Road opened in 1973, but manager Diane Eyres says it can no longer compete with retail outlets and the internet.

It will close on Saturday, December 15. The charity shop sells good quality second-hand clothes and other items. The seller receives 60 per cent of the proceeds and the other 40 per cent goes to Community Action.

Said Mrs Eyres: "It just costs too much to run the shop these days, what with the rent and rates and everything.

There are so many other rivals for buying things cheap, such as bargain shops and eBay."

At its peak, the Community Action shop was bringing in £12,000 a year.

Martyn Slocombe, chairman of Comsermal, the limited company running the shop, added: "It's a great shame, because over the years, the shop has contributed huge sums of money to the community. But it's no longer turning over sufficient sums to keep it going."

Community Action provides a number of services for people in the Malvern area, such as funding the community minibus service and providing furniture for the needy.

Mr Slocombe said although the shop was closing, the company will continue and look at alternative ways of raising money.