AN Evesham charity has lost out on valuable donations because of roadworks being carried out as part of the High Street improvements.

Eileen Walthall, volunteer co-ordinator and trustee of Vale Wildlife Rescue, said donations of clothes had fallen to nothing since drainage works began because they were blocking car parking spaces.

Mrs Walthall said the charity, which has running costs of more than £20,000 each month, was heavily dependant on money from the sale of second-hand items in its shop.

She said: “It’s the first time in six years we’ve run short of clothing. There’s just no chance of anyone being able to carry things from the car park.”

Mrs Walthall said the charity was especially reliant on donations of vintage clothing which it intends to sell at next year’s Glastonbury Festival. The drainage works in High Street/Vine Street are expected to finish on November 22, with the main improvement works starting in the new year.

Richard Attwood, engineering project manager for Worcestershire County Council, said the shops would therefore not be affected in the run-up to Christmas.

“The works are now moving towards the High Street and parking spaces in Vine Street are once again being made available to shoppers.”

Anyone who has trouble dropping off donations to Vale Wildlife Rescue can call staff on 01386 442403 to arrange an alternative collection point.