Weldmar Hospicecare's charity shops will be holding early drop-off sessions before reopening.

The charity's 24 shops and furniture outlets - including the four in Dorchester - have been closed since the third national lockdown began in early January, meaning a vital source of income was cut.

Each of its shop sites will be accepting donations on Friday, April 9 from 10am to 2pm. The shops themselves will not be open, but donations can be handed over at the door.

Donations will be limed to three boxes or bags per household and each site may need to stop accepting donations early if its stockroom becomes full.

Gavin Anderson-Terry, director of retail, said: "We are really excited to be working on getting our shops ready to reopen.

"The income our shops provide is a vital source of revenue for our services, which has been greatly missed.

"Our staff and volunteers are all looking forward to getting back to support our great hospice."

The charity shops will be open again on Monday, April 12.

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