A TV actress gave Bury Hospice a lift when she officially opened their new charity shop.

Shameless and Coronation Street actress Jodie Hamblet mingled with bargain hunters after the ribbon was cut at the new furniture shop in Prestwich.

The ceremony was held last Wednesday at the store near to Bury Hospice’s existing clothes shop in the Longfield Centre.

Jodie, who played the role of Gemma Davenport in Coronation Street, and more recently starred in Channel 4’s My Mad Fat Diary, performed the opening honours in front of dozens of customers.

They soon got the tills ringing with Melissa Finch, of Prestwich, first in the queue, grabbing a sofa for £250.

Shopworker Anne Cassidy said: “The grand opening went really well.

“We had a quite a big queue outside and Jodie was lovely when she cut the ribbon.

“People seemed really impressed with the items we had on offer.

“We had had the shutters up for a while before the opening so some of them had their eye on particular items.

“We had a very good first day and we have been very pleased with the local support, especially with people coming into say how nice the shop looks and to wish all the best.”

The hospice is looking for volunteers to help out at the shop. Anyone interested can call 0161 25 9800 extension 219 or email annekelly@buryhospice.org.uk To donate goods: call 0161 725 8405.