JANUARY promises to be a big month for a popular charity bookshop after its move was delayed.

Volunteers at Books For Amnesty Malvern hoped to head to Church Walk before Christmas on leaving their Edith Walk base in late September.

But they now plan to move in later next month after first throwing a celebration on January 12 to mark the shop's 25th anniversary.

Volunteer Jan Dyer, who has been involved with the Amnesty International-fundraising shop from the start, said: "We have a provisional moving-in date of January 29 next year.

"The shop needs redecorating and a few jobs doing. There was a problem with the roof but the landlord has sorted it out for us.

"It is all progressing well. We have had new bookcases delivered. The move is an exciting time for us and we are all looking forward to it.

"We are planning to have an opening event in late January or February. We are 25 years old this year and will also be having a celebration at The Cube on January 12.

"Current and past volunteers will be coming along. The original shop was opened by the Amnesty International group based in Malvern and we have invited members of the original group for those who are still around in the area."

The move into the former Malvern Party and Balloons shop, which was also delayed by lease negotiations, coincides with the old Wilko store next door having closed in September.

But Jan and her fellow volunteers have formed a winning team which unusually does not even need a manager to run the show.

She admitted: "The footfall is down in that part of Malvern because Wilko closed and that attracted a lot of customers.

"But we have a very loyal customer base because of the selection and variety of books we have. We have built up a very good reputation locally. So I don't think we will be that affected.

"We have a great team of 27 volunteers and that's probably why our headquarters in London is so supportive.

"We don't have a manager and do everything by democratic consensus. We have got the expertise in our local team to take this forward."

Potential new volunteers and book donors are most welcome to visit the shop while the redecoration work is being carried out or to email malvernbookshop@amnesty.org.uk.