ST Richard's Hospice, the chosen charity of Malvern’s mayor Ian Hopwood, will be getting a double boost when he opens a new home and garden store in the town next week.

Coun Hopwood will be cutting the ribbon to officially open Wilkinson, in Edith Walk, at 9am on Thursday (October 27). The company will be handing him a £500 cheque for the hospice.

And while the store is being opened, and throughout the rest of the day and into Friday, Malvern Rotary Club will be staging a fundraising "mile of pennies" drive in Church Walk, right outside the store.

They will be asking passers-by to contribute coppers that can be laid out in a line on the 100-foot ledge which runs along the wall opposite the store, with the proceeds going to the hospice and other Rotary charities.

To achieve the complete mile the ledge would need to be fully covered nearly 53 times, but as Rotary president Jim Richardson said: "It is good to have a challenge."

The new Wilkinson store in the town centre has created 75 jobs for local people, including sales assistants, security officers, stock supervisors and warehouse staff.

Joining Coun Hopwood to open the 13,500 square-foot store will be Wilkinson chief executive Stuart Mitchell and store manager Neil Fisher.

The first 100 shoppers through the tills will be treated to a Christmas bauble to get them in the festive spirit.

And there will be a raffle to raise funds for Age UK, Wilkinson’s charity of the year. Shoppers have the chance to win a hamper worth £50, which will include luxury home and kitchenware.

Mr Fisher said: “Opening a new store Great Malvern is an exciting prospect for Wilkinson. The launch day is set to be a fun packed event."