A BASINGSTOKE charity offering discount furniture to hard-up residents celebrated the opening of its extended premises.

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Keith Chapman, cut the red tape at Basingstoke’s Community Furniture Project in Joule Road to officially declare it open.

The charity has been running since 2004 and collects donated furniture, household goods and appliances to sell on at an affordable price.

Manager Phelim O’Hagan said: “We have noticed a big increase in demand from people who are trying to make ends meet, and are doing all they can to live independently without getting into debt.

“Our service is an important way of helping them – last year we had over 12,000 customer visits and over 5,000 donations.

“These new, larger premises will really help us in aiming to meet that demand.”

The Community Furniture Project is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, but is closed for lunch from 12.30pm to 1pm.

For more information contact 01256 320700 or visit cfpbasingstoke.org.