A recycling charity in Gloucestershire has made a major breakthrough.

The Furniture Recycling Project (FRP), which already had shops in Gloucester and Cheltenham, opened its first Tewkesbury branch in June last year after receiving a grant of £8,000 from Severn Vale Housing.

Now, the FRP in Tewkesbury has hit a major milestone by re-using its 1,500 item and is celebrating the arrival of a new van, which will help the project grow even more.

The purchase of the new vehicle has been made possible by the support of grants sought out by Severn Vale Housing Society and some European Social Funding.

Severn Vale asset and commercial director Mike Craggs said: "We are delighted to be able to continue to support the FRP - it makes complete sense for us to work together.

"Very often our empty properties are left with furniture and electrical goods inside, so instead of us using valuable staff time to clear the properties and dispose of the contents, we can pass it on to be recycled and sold off to our customers at affordable prices.

"Our staff actively promote the project to customers in need and we take them to the shop to view furniture which might be suitable for them."

FRP shop manager Jess Woodman added: "We are delighted to have been able to develop a service which has been welcomed with open arms in Tewkesbury.

"To reach this number of items so quickly is making a positive difference across the community.

"During this time we have made over 500 collections and 400 deliveries.

"The delivery of a new bigger van we will now be able to collect and deliver even more goods."

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk