SOUTHAMPTON charity SCRATCH has opened a second-hand furniture showroom.

The Christian organisation which helps families hit by poverty has set up a salesroom at its base in Millbrook.

It is designed to provide cut-price non-essential pieces of furniture to people on low incomes - as well as raise vital funds for the cash-strapped project.

Last year the Daily Echo revealed that Southampton City and Region Action to Combat Hardship was facing financial ruin, as bosses struggled to plug a £40,000 black hole.

Now, as well as giving away essential furniture such as beds, tables and chairs for free, SCRATCH will sell things like coffee tables, rocking chairs, display units and TV tables.

People referred to the charity by agencies such as social services will be entitled to a 50 per cent discount.

Annette Davis said: "Although it will help with money for the charity, we want to make it clear that we're not doing this for financial reasons.

"We have never been able to offer people choice. This gives them that bit of dignity to come and choose a new piece of furniture for themselves."

Charity chief exec Chris Davis added: "The bottom line is that there are thousands of people out there in Hampshire who are on the poverty line or just above it.

"We want to be able to provide more basic items to those in desperate need of help free of charge, but also create a bank of goods for people on very low incomes.

"We hope that by making a new showroom available, people, through their purchases, can help us develop a long-term financial stability as well as saving the ever-growing mountain of goods being dumped at landfill sites."

The showroom is open now - and extra collection points are being set up this month to receive donated furniture.

Contact SCRATCH on 023 8077 3132 for more information.