Generous shoppers across the region have helped a cancer charity's shops ring up their best year to date.

The Norfolk-based Big C has seen a rise of about 3.5pc on previous years across its 10 stores in Norfolk and Waveney - an achievement which comes in the final months of its 35th birthday year.

In particular, the store on Timberhill, in Norwich, enjoyed its best ever trading week in its 21-year history during the start of December, which the charity believes may in part be due to the new pedestrian crossing in the area.

Ashley Bunn, head of retail, said the year-end figures were particularly pleasing after a difficult first half.

'A slow start made us think this would be a difficult year, but it has really picked up,' he said. 'The tweaks we made through all stores have started to pay off.

'All our stores had a tidy up, making them easier to shop. We improved layouts, re-examined the product offering in each to ensure the items and the price points were right and introduced new signage to help direct people to product areas and it seems that our customers have liked it.'

He said the bridal boutique at the Timberhill store had been a particular success, with plans to rebrand and refurbish the area ahead of a spring reopening.

The charity's Wymondham distribution centre was also expanded at the start of the year, increasing sales by almost 50pc. 'In addition, the quality of many of our donations has increased,' Mr Bunn added. 'We are really grateful to people for being so generous. We are receiving better quality products which are more visible thanks to an improved layout and better space-planning, making it easier for people to see and shop/'

Big C has also recruited 80 new volunteers to support its retail outlets.

For more information on the charity's work and shop Christmas opening hours and details of where to donate, visit www.big-c.co.uk• Do you have a story about a charity? Email local.life@archant.co.uk