A FAMILY-owned department store is helping raise hundreds for charity by launching a "handbag amnesty" for customers.

Barkers in Northallerton is inviting customers to swap their old bag for a 20 per cent discount voucher to use towards a new one from its latest range.

The used handbags, which will be collected in an in-store container, will then be sold in Northallerton’s Cancer Research UK shop on the High Street, as part of the Barkers Great Handbag Exchange.

The handbag amnesty runs from May 11 to May 26 and the initiative will help the charity shop raise vital funds to help those suffering from cancer.

Organiser Kate McCain, Barkers’ handbag and accessories buyer, said: “It is the time of year when women are choosing a new handbag for spring or summer and many have wardrobes full of handbags that are still in great condition.

“Donating quality handbags, which are still in good condition, is a great way to recycle them and raise vital funds for a worthwhile cause.

“Once handbags have been donated to us, we will reward customers with a voucher to save money on their new purchase from our new range of handbags. All the handbags we collect will be handed over to the Cancer Research Shop in Northallerton.

“We expect this to be popular with our customers who are extremely generous and supportive of the work we do for charity.”

Barkers held a handbag amnesty two years ago in aid of Cancer Research, raising £1,000 through 66 old handbags being donated and a tombola.

Jayne Lister, from the Cancer Research shop, said: “We are always very short of good quality handbags and they are popular items among customers.

“Our aim is to beat cancer and money raised through our shops is vital for research.

“This is a wonderful gesture by Barkers and will help us to raise a lot of money for charity.”

Barkers’ new handbag collections include Coccinelle, Radley, Guess, Fiorelli, Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Gianni Conti.