A Bradford church has set up a charity shop to help ensure its survival.

St John’s Church in Bierley will also use money raised at the New-2-U shop to support projects such as youth groups and a pensioners’ lunch club.

The shop, in the old school house in Bierley Lane, will be opened at 2pm on Monday by the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James.

Christine Croft, secretary of the parochial church council, who is to be the shop’s volunteer manager, said: “We realised that it would enable us to raise money to make sure we kept the church in Bierley, help fund local projects for the benefit of the whole community and also provide a small coffee area where people could meet up.

“We have a wonderful band of volunteers from the church and local community who have been working hard to ensure we are on track for the official opening.

“We will always try to give voluntary work to anyone in need of experience to improve their CV. Come on in and see what we can do for you and perhaps you can do something for us.”

The shop, which will sell second-hand goods including clothes, books and DVDs, received a grant to cover its set-up costs from the Church Urban Fund.

Offenders from the Probation Service’s Community Payback scheme have painted the walls and counters made from reclaimed materials were provided by a local resident.

The shop will be open to the public from Tuesday. Opening times are 9am to 3pm Mondays and Wednesdays, 9am to 2.30pm Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

e-mail: hannah.baker@telegraphandargus.co.uk