A UNIQUE charity shop, which sells specialist underwear for cancer survivors who have had a mastectomy needs a new home.

Lavender Lingerie currently uses rooms above the Monmouthshire Building Society on Chepstow Road, Newport, which were kindly donated to them by the business for free.

But the company is moving to new premises early next year and the charity is not able to move with it because of a lack of space.

Staff are now appealing for a business owner to donate a space for free so they can continue their good work.

Anita Pettitt, 57, who has worked at the shop for nearly two years said it would be a tremendous loss to the community and wider South Wales area if they could not carry on.

As well as carrying out specialist fittings for bras, swimwear and clothing which have pockets to fit a prosthesis, the staff are there to offer help and support to breast cancer patients and survivors who have undergone a mastectomy.

She said: “Sometimes people are upset and frightened and sometimes they are still reeling from the operation, it’s a support group as well, sometimes people just need to talk.”

The not-for-profit organisation, set up by the South Gwent Breast Cancer Support Group in 2003, is the only one of its kind in South Wales and attracts customers from all over the Wales and England.

The shop, which has its own separate entrance, a sitting room, kitchen and fitting area, is open on a Tuesday and Thursday and serves around ten customers a week.

Mrs Pettitt, of St Julians, who recently had reconstruction surgery after having a mastectomy two and a half years ago added: “You take the them into the fitting room, put them in a nice bra that fits them properly and they feel like a woman again. They come out beaming – it’s quite poignant.”

Anyone who can help can contact the shop on 01633 840202.