A WATCHET charity shop has been given a financial boost to kickstart its 2012 fundraising efforts.

The St Margaret's Somerset Hospice outlet in Swain Street received a £4,600 donation from Devon-based Blakes Coaches.

And the shop's oldest volunteer - 95-year-old Minnie Stevenson - was given the task of putting the cheque through the till when it re-opened for business after the festive break.

Shop manager Ann Grenville said Minnie had travelled by bus from her Washford home to do a weekly volunteering stint since the shop opened around a decade ago.

The donation was the result of a series of fundaising efforts by Blakes, including holding raffles.

"The company choose a different charity each year to help and I think they decided it to give it to the Watchet branch of St Margaret's Hospice because many of our volunteers use their coaches, including Minnie," said Ann.

"We're really delighted to receive such a substantial donation - it's wonderful."

Photo: Steve Guscott.