FIVE years since it first opened its doors in Hilperton, the Mind charity shop was celebrating with a special birthday party this week.

The Hackett Place store, which sells clothes, bric-a-brac and a variety of other items to raise money for the mental health charity, welcomed Trowbridge deputy mayor Nicola Blackmore and Melksham town crier Peter Dauntsey for a slice of birthday cake on Friday.

Manager Lisa Lee said: “We are growing each year and we’re getting bigger and better. People know where we are and we have got great comments and feedback about the store.

“We wouldn’t be able to run it without our volunteers and the more help and money we can raise for mental health, the better.

“I think we have something for everyone and we have an information point for people to find out more about the services MIND provides and it is generally to make people more aware of mental health problems.”

Over the last five years, the store has managed to recruit 20 volunteers who dedicate their time to working in the shop which helps raise money to provide support for people with mental health problems.

A number of local residents also turned up to help make their birthday extra special.

Mrs Lee said she is now looking forward to the next five years.

She added: “We are a big part of the community and it is nice people know we are here even though we’re tucked away in the corner.

“We’re not just a charity shop but if people come in and they are feeling low then we’ll sit and have a chat with them.

“We want to get bigger and better and continue to grow and recruit more volunteers which we really need.

“I have been here since it started and we have a great team here and I feel blessed to have a great group of people who are really dedicated to raising money and awareness for MIND.”

To find out more about becoming a volunteer, call 01225 920641.