A Norfolk charity that specialises in supporting cancer patients is set to open a shop for the first time to provide income for potential future expansion plans.

Star Throwers, in Melton Road, Wymondham is hoping to open a shop in the RSPCA store premises in Middleton Street, Wymondham in August as the animal welfare charity is set to move to the former A G Proctor and Son premises in Church Street.

The charity's co-ordinator Tina Martins said opening the shop would provide the charity with a more stable financial platform on which to build as the staff and volunteers currently rely on donations from generous fundraisers.

She said the potential extra revenue would enable the charity to raise more awareness of its work advising and supporting people who have, or at risk of developing, cancer.

However, the money could help fund a major expansion of Star Throwers main Melton Road centre, including potentially a new ward where patients can receive treatments they would not be able to receive elsewhere without paying high prices.

Steven Ho, the centre's manager, praised and thanked fundraisers who had enabled the centre to carry on providing specialist treatments and therapies.

He said: 'We have just been really lucky that we have had so many good supporters over the years to keep this place going and helping with fundraising donations.

'Opening this shop is about having a sustainable future and will enable us to look further forward. We know we will still be here in five years and we can now plan ahead for the future.'

Dr Henry Mannings, the founder of Star Throwers and a doctor at the centre, echoed Mr Ho's sentiments, adding: 'Local people have supported us immensely both through their input and through fundraising events and we are exceptionally grateful.'

The centre is designed to make visitors feel at home and has a lounge with a fireplace and a bedroom and treatment room where people can receive massages, therapies and other treatments, such as immunotherapy which is designed to treat the cancer by stimulating an immune response.

There is also a garden area with decking where visitors can wander while receiving treatment or advice.

Currently, the centre caters for day patients, though the ward could enable patients to stay in at the facility.

The Middleton Street premises is owned by prolific Star Throwers fundraiser Les King.

He said: 'It is a very good charity caring for people affected by cancer and it is the least that I can do to help Star Throwers start the charity shop.'

The charity is named after a parable about a boy throwing starfish into the sea, who is approached by a man who says 'there are too many of them, it won't make any difference,' to which the boy replies 'it made a difference to that one.'