A TOTAL of £200,000 has been handed over to support the work of a Worcestershire arts centre.

The managers of Pershore's Number 8's charity shop Just After 8 handed over the money to the centre's managing director Ray Steadman at Belle House, Pershore. The money has been raised over the past three years and will go towards the new Phase 4 project.

Renovation work at the arts centre begins on July 1, and will provide a new balcony lounge area, an office and a store for the costumes and props of Pershore Operatic and Dramatic Society.

Mr Steadman said: "This is a fantastic amount of money to have been raised.

"I want to thank all our volunteers who helped to make it happen - without them we would not be able to embark upon Phase 4. Now, we will be able to open up the foyer area and the lounge area will be able to accommodate about 40 visitors.

"It is a measure of the success we have enjoyed that we are looking to expand and it is a very exciting time."

Just After 8 is run by three managers, Sheila Booth, Marie Haven and Carole Bordiss, and will stop trading at the end of this month.

Ms Booth said: "I have really enjoyed my time at the shop and it will be a sad day when we close. We sell everything from safety pins to three-piece suites. Everyone who has helped us deserves praise, from the cleaners to the van men who do our collections and deliveries."