Wellington charity shop gift is worth £160

Staff at a Shropshire charity shop who were rummaging through a box of donations have come across a rare 1960s statue which could fetch more than £160.

Volunteers at the Cancer Research UK shop in Wellington had brought a box of donations to be valued after some figurines were found in it.

But it was only then that a valuer spotted the Beswick statue and alerted staff to its value, which could be as high as £180.

The statue, called Pickles The Dog, is part of the Beswick's Beatrix Potter range and is said to be a sought after item.

Now store manager Holly Lancaster said the hunt was on to find a buyer.

Miss Lancaster said: "It came in about three days ago but we only had it valued yesterday. We have been told it's very collectable.

"It is not often we get something so rare and valuable given to us. It's something very different.

"We are looking for collectors who would like to buy it but, if none come forward we are going to put it up for auction."

On spotting the find, Miss Lancaster added: "It was noticed in a box of mixed goods. The box had a couple of Wade figurines in it and one of our valuers spotted it and said it was worth something."

Anyone interested in the statue can call the charity shop on New Street on (01952) 254744.

The aim of Cancer Research UK is to save lives through research, supporting the work of more than 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK to investigate all aspects of cancer.