VOLUNTEERS at a charity shop are baffled about a white ceramic object that was donated to them to sell.

The item, a unicorn's head just over a foot high, was among goods handed to St Teresa's Hospice shop, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, three weeks ago.

Since then, manager Joanna Crowe and her team have asked dozens of customers what it might be, but it has stumped everyone.

It has a hole at the front that could take a thick candle, and a series of small holes on the sides and back, which are big enough for knitting needles.

Mrs Crowe said: "We have racked our brains and so have many other people, but nobody has come up with any real idea about what it can be.

"It obviously has a specific use, but we would like to know what it is before putting it on sale or even deciding what price to ask for it."

They do not know who left it, but hope the person who did will return with the answer.