A charity shop near Market Drayton which raises up to £20,000 a year has been forced to close its doors with immediate effect because of health and safety rules.

The Audlem Aid for Cancer Research shop, which is thought to have originated in 1973, has been ordered to close following the findings of a health and safety review.

The shop is staffed by volunteers and looked after by the Audlem Aid to Cancer Research UK committee. Disappointed staff are waiting for details of the review, but are hoping the closure is temporary.

Christine Plume, of Audlem Aid for Cancer Research, said: “It’s so frustrating.

“We raise up to £20,000 a year and now we are having to close, hopefully only temporarily, because of health and safety and insurance issues when we have never had a problem.”

Bob Cartwright, editor of the Audlem Online village website, said: “Despite passing previous inspections, and nothing having changed recently, a health and safety inspection has resulted in the immediate closure of the Cancer Research shop.

“It’s thought the reasons may revolve around an upstairs fire exit despite the shop passing its most recent fire inspection.

“The interesting question is why all has been fine and dandy for so many years and, suddenly, there’s an immediate closure notice.”

Simon O’Leary, Cancer Research UK head of volunteer fundraising, said: “Cancer Research UK recently commissioned a detailed survey to assess the condition and review the health and safety and compliance of this shop.

“Unfortunately, a number of significant gaps were identified and we therefore came to the difficult decision to ask the Audlem group to close their shop.

“We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Audlem Aid to Cancer Research UK committee whose members have given a huge amount of time and commitment to the charity for many years and we look forward to working with them to find other ways to help us beat cancer.”

Cancer Research UK has about 900 volunteer fundraising groups and committees who fundraise in their communities.

By James Pugh