VOLUNTEERS have been celebrated after giving up a quarter of a century of their free time to a Stourbridge charity shop.

On May 11, 1992, Mary Stevens Hospice opened its very first charity shop in Stourbridge’s Victoria Passage, the first of another 22 that would be opened across the West Midlands.

Throughout that time, two women, Audrey Smith and Sybil Taylor, have been ever-present volunteers in the town centre shop, and have recently been honoured for their service over the last 25 years.

The anniversary was marked with a party in the shop where hot drinks and cake were on offer to the local community, as a thank you for the support the outlet has received over the past two-and-a-half decades.

Tributes were also paid at length to Sybil and Audrey, who received flowers and had the honour of cutting the specially-made cake on the day.

Speaking about why the shop had been able to survive and thrive over the past 25 years, Sybil said: "It's a social point. We have regulars here who we've been seeing and serving for years.

“My friend Beryl from school still pops in because she knows I’ll be here for a chat, and that’s more than 50 years after we met.

“Our retro stock has also attracted a younger audience, as vintage items are so sought after these days, so we get plenty of young people who come back to us again and again, because they know they'll always find something good and different each time they visit.”

When quizzed on the secret to their longevity, Audrey answered: “You get good chairs here. It makes it so much easier to do your job when you've got a good chair.

“Guy [the shop manager] makes a good cup of tea as well.”

The two have become firm friends over the years and regularly holiday together, with their next planned trip taking them to Cornwall.

Gail Phillips, of Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “They are the embodiment of everything good about this community, and this hospice family.

“We rely so heavily on the generosity and commitment of all of our volunteers, and Audrey and Sybil are truly an example and an inspiration to all associated with the hospice.

“These ladies are in their prime, and we’ve no doubt they’ll still be here in another 25 years, serving their community and keeping us on our toes as they always do.”