AN allotment shop funded through coffee mornings and grants was officially opened at the weekend in Guisborough.

The Mayor of Guisborough, Councillor Anne Franklin, opened Guisborough Allotment Society's shop in Wilton Lane, which will be run by volunteers.

The shop, which will sell compost, fertilisers, seed potatoes and other items, will be open to all allotment-holders and gardeners for £1 membership.

Money to open the shop has been raised thanks to a £350 grant from Guisborough Town Council and coffee mornings organised by the allotment committee.

Marjorie Osborne, from the society, said: "A lot of hard work has gone into making this happen.

"We have a committee of seven allotment-holders, and we are hoping volunteer helpers will come along to help run the shop on a rota-system so it can be open every weekend.

"We are looking for gardeners to tell us what they would like in the shop and give any help where they can."

Further coffee mornings are planned for Thursday, March 25, and June 26.

Ms Osborne said: "The town council is planning the return of the Guisborough Horticultural Show on Saturday, August 14, and we are organising a coffee morning on this day to boost our funds."