RSPCA charity shop reopens in Longridge - but they need volunteers.

Left, shops coordinator Claire Russel and right, Longridge shop manager Debbie Hiorns, with Shep the stuffed dog.

The Longridge RSPCA charity shop is gearing up to reopen this Saturday after months of closure and fears of an uncertain future due to a lack of funding during the pandemic.

In a phased reopening of their charity shops, Preston's RSCPA are appealing for new volunteers to join them at the Berry Lane store, after the pandemic left them on the brink of permanent closure.

It's been a scary and uncertain few months for the animal charity, who are slowly opening the doors to their charity shops after the pandemic left them closed since March.

The charity put out an urgent appeal just last month, as their Preston animal shelter sat 'on the brink' of having their doors shut for good.

Charity shops coordinator Claire Russel said a steady flow of donations has given the charity the boost they need to begin reopening shops, but that volunteers are "desperately needed" to help run them.

"We have still got staff on furlough to keep our outgoings as low as possible at the minute, so we do need more hands on support with volunteers," she said.

"Funding still remains our biggest issue, hence why we have the poster in the window appealing for donations. We are not out the woods yet and still want people to help with funding and volunteering where they can.

"In our Longridge shop, we still need volunteers. So far, we are having a good response about our reopening because it has been missed by people in the village."