A Norwich charity that provides furniture to some of the county's most needy people has been thrown a �7000 lifeline.

Norfolk Homemakers was awarded the grant by Broadland District Council to plug a revenue gap in its finances. It will allow the charity to continue its growing workload among people hit hardest by the recession.

The charity operates by collecting unwanted furniture and furnishings, refurbishing them and selling them on, and has more than 3500 clients.

Homemakers chairman Tom Gilbert said: 'The grant from Broadland is vitally important to us – a lifeline.

'We have to keep our prices down because we are trying to help people with very little money, and that means we do not bring in enough income to cover our expenditure.

'This grant puts us in a position to break even and therefore able to continue our work.'

Broadland council leader Andrew Proctor said: 'Norfolk Homemakers plays a key role in allowing some of the most vulnerable individuals and families in the area to live independently and with dignity. The council is proud to have been able to step in and help keep the service viable.'

Homemakers, which operates from a warehouse on Aylsham Way, Aylsham Road, prevented an estimated 38 tonnes of waste material having to go to landfill, and also cuts down on fly-tipping.Go to www.norfolkhomemakers.org.