RUGBY star Lee Byrne helped open a charity pound shop in Newport on Friday.

The bargain shop, raising money for Tenovus, is the newest arrival on the high street and will raise funds to support people with cancer living in the community.

Mayor of Newport Matthew Evans helped Dragons and Welsh Rugby International player Mr Byrne declare the shop officially open.

Tenovus, Wales’ largest charity retailer, has one existing shop in Newport, on Caerleon Road. The new shop will be a speciality ‘bargain shop’ which will be stocked by redirecting unsold items and offering goods for about £1.

Sophie Porfirio, retail area manager at Tenovus, said: “Our charity shops are a huge source of income for the work we do; they allow us to offer support and services to cancer patients and their families when they need us most.

“Our shops also act as a community hub on the high street for those seeking advice or those worried about cancer, meaning they can come in and speak to us in the shop and see how our services could help them or their loved ones.

“We hope that through our new shop, we’ll be able to raise more money that will help us support even more people affected by cancer in communities right across Wales, including right here in Newport.”

Tenovus said they are always looking for more volunteers to help out in their shops. To get involved with the new Tenovus shop, at 38a High Street, visit tenovus.org.uk for information.