STAFF and volunteers at Julia’s House children’s hospice flagship charity shop have been working on a new fundraising initiative.

Using chalk paints, they’ve been transforming unloved furniture items such as old wardrobes, chairs, tables and sideboards into what they describe as ‘shabby chic’ furniture.

The initiative’s official launch, that included a catwalk and live music, took place on Thursday evening at Creekmoor’s Neighbourhood Centre.

Customers are also being offered a bespoke service – the chance to buy furniture and, for a small fee, have it decorated in a colour of their choice.

Shop sales assistant Dave Hutchings said: “The problem had been keeping enough pieces for our launch.

“As fast as it was being painted, it was disappearing. Customers loved what we were doing so much that nothing stayed on the shop floor long enough for us to display it.”