During the coronavirus lockdown several Nub News readers asked us when what locals know as the Care & Share charity shop was re-opening.

We weren't able to help - until today (September 21) - when we discovered much to our delight that it had re-opened just today.

The Salvation Army charity shop at the top of Midsomer Norton High Street is a truly unique shop in the sense that every penny raised in it goes to the local church just yards away.

Manager Julie Young has been with the shop for 25 years," for ever," she laughs.

Originally they were in a small shop next to the War Memorial on the High Street - they were there for six years, before moving to number 60 at the Stones Cross end.

Julie told Nub News: " A lot of my lovely volunteers have health issues or are involved with people who have health issues so obviously we were very concerned for them. We have made the shop as safe as we can for them and customers. To go with all regulations."

" I have a fabulous group of volunteers absolutely the best."

" All the funds we raise here go to the church up the road - this is what helps run all the activities of the church. It is a local charity really. Obviously the Salvation Army is an international organisation, but what we raise here stays here. So it was very important that we re-opened."

One of the other volunteers tell us that there is also a very special social aspect to the shop. She said: " We get a lot of people who just come in for a chat and to say hello. " Julie agrees: " It is very much a community thing."

The shop will be open from now on Monday to Friday, 9 am until 4pm and on Saturdays between 10am and 1pm.