OASIS Christian Centre began in a quiet way in 1984 and is this month celebrating its 20th birthday.

The shop in Church Street, Romsey is still flourishing. Volunteers from churches in the town and from North Baddesley and Southampton run book stalls, coffee mornings and sell Tearcraft and Traidcraft products, benefiting people in developing countries who make the products and get a fair price for their work. Tearcraft is the producing arm of Tear Fund, the Evangelical Alliance's relief fund for people in need all over the world.

Two of the staff, Angie Nelson, the manager, and Janet Garside, have been with the project since it started. This week, Janet was busy opening the stock of Christmas cards, candles, vases, containers, postcards and videos. Angie said: "Profits can be channelled into various projects, for instance Book Aid in Africa, water pumps in Uganda, evangelism through Youth for Christ and Cruwys Trust in Ethiopia."

More than 130 people have been involved with Oasis, at the Church Street premises and in their own churches. The centre started out as a dream of John and Julie Reeves, who now run the Hebron Retreat Centre in Ampfield. To celebrate there's a 20 per cent discount on books bought between September 20 and 25.