TV star and Windsor resident Sue Holderness welcomed customers back to Thames Hospice's 22 fund raising shops on Wednesday as they reopened after four weeks of lockdown.

All 22 of the Maidenhead based hospice's shops had been closed since November 5, resulting in a loss £250,000 in income.

It has been a massive blow for the hospice which provides vital palliative and end of life care to the community and relies almost entirely on donations.

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Sue - who is still fondly known as Marlene in the legendary sitcom Only Fools and Horses - is a longstanding ambassador the hospice.

She was joined by the hospice's chairman of trustees Jonathan Jones visiting the shops in Peascod Street, Windsor and Reform Road, Maidenhead as they welcomed in the first customers.

It has been a monumental year for the hospice as it struggled with lost funding while moving from its cramped premises in Hatch Lane, Windsor to a new home at Bray Lake, near Maidenhead.

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Julie Rowley, director of retail for its shops, said: "The Hospice's income from its retail operations has been hugely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, so we are thrilled to be able to open our doors once again during the festive season. We look forward to raising vital income for the Hospice in the busy Christmas period ahead.

“Please pop in to any of our stores and support your local Hospice this Christmas.”

The shops are selling Christmas decorations, cards and gifts, clothing, accessories, homeware and bric-a-brac.

All of the 22 Thames Hospice shops will also be accepting donations between the hours of 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 3pm on Sundays.

For further information on Thames Hospice shops, please visit www.thameshospice.org.uk/shopwithus