A SATURDAY morning charity car park is being moved to a new location.

The car park, which has been run by volunteers from the Rotary Club of Durham for the last 33 years, will now operate at the Riverside car park, to the rear of Dunelm House, in New Elvet, Durham.

Durham Rotary president Anthony Ford, said: “Huge thanks to my Rotary Club colleague Mel French, who has managed the Saturday morning charity collection scheme at Territorial Lane since its inception, and to Durham University, without whose continued and loyal support this important fundraising initiative could not happen.

"The project has proved an extremely successful resource through the years, and the proceeds it has raised have made a fundamental difference to the work of numerous charities working within our local communities.

“Many thanks to all our parkers and to all who have supported us across the years, and we look forward to providing a new Saturday morning charity car park collection service at Riverside Car Park from 20th July onwards.”

Saturday shoppers can use the 50-space car park for a voluntary minimum donation of £2.

It is moving from Territorial Lane because Durham University, which owns the site, is planning to redevelop it as part of its plans to turn the land and nearby swimming pool into a business school.

The scheme has raised more than £250,000 since it started in 1985, which is donated to local charities.