A STAGGERING 196.45 tonnes of unwanted goods have been saved from going to landfill thanks to a second hand shop at Newport tip since May 2016.

The Tip Shop, at the Household Waste Recycling Centre, in Docks Way, has diverse stock, ranging from sofas to dining tables and from building materials to a kitchen sing.

A spokeswoman for the shop said: “Since opening, more than 196.45 tonnes of household waste items have been saved from landfill.

“Hugely popular with bargain hunters, enthusiasts and low income households alike, there is something for everyone here.”

She said that Mike Evans, a former volunteer at the Tip Shop who is now employed with Wastesavers as a shop assistant, plays a key role in the shop.

“Before working with Wastesavers, Mike found himself unemployed for many years,” she said. “A flamboyant character, Mike’s youth was spent working at fairgrounds and, in the late 1980’s, he was a regular on TV favourite ‘The Sooty Show’.

“However, when work became scarce, gaining employment later in life proved difficult.”

She said that, after volunteering with Wastesavers, Mr Evans has now been working for more than two years.

Mr Evans said: “If you make people feel better, they’ll do a job better, I’ve never felt more respected or worked with a friendlier team”.

Newport City Council’s cabinet member for Streetscene, Cllr Roger Jeavons, said: “It is great to see so many people finding second homes for items other people have no longer got a use for.

“The Tip Shop is a great council asset and we are delighted this venture is such a success.”