A charity scheme providing free furniture to people in need is weeks away from being re-launched.

Community Action's Furniture Recycling Project ran for a decade before being suspended a year ago due to lack of funds.

However, a grant announced by Malvern Hills District Council on Tuesday (May 20), will now get the service back on the road.

The council's executive committee allocated £5,500 from a £22,000 grant from the Homelessness Corporation to the scheme.

Under the scheme, unwanted furniture in good condition was cleaned up, checked and given to people referred by a housing association or charitable body.

Since being put on hold, manager Mike McKnight has been applying for grants and searching for funds to get the scheme re-instated.

"A lot of people have been helped by Community Action's furniture service over the years," he said.

"It's a vital to the area, that's why we were very loath to stop it.

"Some of the clients we're talking about are from broken relationships, or have financial problems and cannot afford to get furniture."

Mr McKnight said it costs £1,500 to equip two people and a child with basic furniture and that turning people away while the scheme was frozen had been difficult.

"We've not been able to meet the requests of all the people who need help, which has been a big blow," he said.

Storage space is available in Welland but the scheme needs a van and an organiser prepared to work part-time to co-ordinate it. Mr McKnight is confident he will be able to find both in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in filling the co-ordinator's role should ring the charity on 01684 580638.