Volunteer staff at a Lowestoft charity shop have marked seven years of trading by donating £20,000 to medical causes - with the couple behind the running of the shop also receiving a royal invitation as recognition for their efforts.

Peter Orford and his wife Margaret, who oversee the running of The Friends Charity Shop in London Road South, have been invited to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in June as recognition of their fundraising efforts.

Mr and Mrs Orford said: 'We put the success of the shop down to the fact that all the staff are friends and nobody is paid anything. The latest cheques have brought the total raised by the Friends shop over the years to £140,000 for the charities. The shop relies on donations of any unwanted goods particularly clothes and curtains and more is always needed.'

The presentation of the two cheques, each for £10,000, was conducted by BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Wally Webb at Browston Hall, in Great Yarmouth.

On hand to receive the cheques were Maxine Taylor of the James Paget Hospital Palliative Care East appeal and Dr Tony Page of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Heart Care Unit.

Mr Webb said: 'I am often bringing bad news on the radio about the health service so it is a very pleasant change to hear good news that volunteers such as the team who work in the Friends' shop have helped to raise these terrific sums for two deserving causes.'

Mr Orford added: 'I have had treatment at both the Papworth Hospital and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital – so I wanted to try and give something back to the health service for what they have done for me.

'But we couldn't have raised the sums that we have without the help and support of our wonderful staff. I would also like to thank the Norfolk Heart Trust for nominating us to attend the Royal Garden Party.'

If you would like to volunteer at The Friends Charity Shop visit the shop in London Road South, Lowestoft, for further details.