A CANCER charity has opened the first in a new-style chain of shops in the North-East.

Cancer Research UK has turned its traditional charity shop in Silver Street, Durham, into a Wishes card and gift shop.

The new-style shop is one of 12 being opened across the country and is a new venture for the charity, which spends £191m on research into cancer every year.

It was officially opened by eight-year-old Brooke Brown, of Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, who is in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, the main type of cancer that affects children.

Brooke, who was diagnosed in 2001, underwent chemotherapy at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, and stopped taking medication three months ago.

She was joined by her mother, Gail, and cut a ribbon and bought the first card -a thank-you card to send to the doctors and nurses who treated her -from the store.

The charity hopes the store will help raise even more money to fund research inbto the causes of cancer.

Cancer Research UK's retail director, Richard Taylor, said: "This is a major initiative for Cancer Research UK as we are the first charity in the UK to develop a mainstream chain of card shops.

"There is always a demand in our shops for Christmas and greetings cards.

"Although our shops are the most profitable in the sector, the existing market is highly competitive.

"Cancer Research UK hopes that the new concept stores will contribute greatly to our already successful chain of charity shops."

The shop's stock will include hand-crafted cards made by Tracey Russell Greetings Cards Limited, of Langley Park, County Durham.