WILTSHIRE’s first Barnardo’s donation centre celebrated its first anniversary on Monday.

So far it has received more than 5,000 bags of items since opening.

The centre, in Station Road, Warminster, has raised tens of thousands of pounds through the donations and was presented with a cake to mark its special day.

The shop is larger than normal which allows space for items including clothes, books, toys to games to be sorted.

They are then distributed throughout the county to other stores.

Sabrina Shergold, acting manager at the centre, said: “It has been fantastic since the centre opened, it’s been really successful.

“The first year has flown by, but the centre has been important to have to help with all the donations.”

Staff at the centre are supported by 14 volunteers ranging in age from 16 to 73 years and who have given up a total of 2,000 hours to help last year.

Barnardo’s area business manager Andrea Piper said: “We wanted to celebrate our first anniversary by arranging a special thank you for all of the team who have worked so hard to support the charity.

“It is thanks to their dedication and commitment, with the generous support of local donors, that we have been able to achieve so much.

“Last year Barnardo’s worked with 200,000 disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people through more than 900 services across the UK.

“Our shops play a crucial role in supporting many of these projects, helping children to turn their lives around.”

The donation centre is looking for more volunteers and is open Monday-Saturday from 9am-5.30pm, and Sundays from 10am-4pm.