A LEADING designer and 'green' champion has given his seal of approval for an innovative community project.

Wayne Hemingway officially opened ReFurnish when he visited Saltburn to see the work the project is carrying out in the town.

Run by social housing group Coast and Country, the scheme not only helps to deliver affordable second hand furniture, it is also a community hub offering work experience and training opportunities.

The project will provide a number of volunteering opportunities for those who wish to build their skills, broaden their knowledge and give something back to the community.

Speaking at the opening, Mr Hemingway said: “Recycling is a win-win situation. If you can give something a new life and keep it going, like these wonderful buildings of Saltburn and the building you’re using here it just makes sense.

“Also the skills that people learn like repairing and upcycling, the apprentices that can learn new skills and the older people that can pass on skills to the younger people, it’s just a great thing to be doing.”

Tracy O’Neill, head of community investment at Coast and Country, said: “Wayne was the perfect person to open ReFurnish and totally embraced the philosophy of the project, which encompasses all of our social values, including tackling worklessness, up-skilling, recycling and providing a facility that will have positive benefits for a whole community."