A CHARITY that survived a funding crisis is looking to a bright future by revamping and re-launching its Leominster shop.

ECHO, which runs activities for people with learning difficulties, bounced back after being brought to the brink of closure in a struggle to renew lottery funding.

The group has appointed former craftsman Martin King as the new manager of its shop at 6 School Lane, Leominster. The outlet sells items made by Herefordshire craftspeople with a disability.

ECHO chief officer Fiona Ritchie said last winter's cash crisis had been a difficult time but it had drawn attention to the group's valuable work. ECHO now had some funding from social services - which it had never had before.

And money from the European Social Fund was helping to relaunch the shop.

Martin King said: "We're all very excited about the new opportunities the shop will offer.

"We will be able to offer an opportunity to disabled craftspeople to sell their wares and will have the capacity to provide first class training for adults with a disability who may be interested in a career in the retail industry."

Martin added: "ECHO has depended very heavily on a team of volunteers, who give up their own time to enable people with disabilities to access a wide range of recreational and educational services.

"We cannot overstate how valuable the contribution from our voluntary team is. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and, at the same time, appeal for anyone who could spare an afternoon or a morning a week."

The shop will re-open on September 15. Trainees begin their induction a week earlier.

Martin is eager to hear from craftspeople with a disability who may be interested in selling their crafts through the ECHO shop.

"I used to be a craftsman myself, disabled through illness, and I remember the difficulty of finding high quality outlets for my work," he said. " I am keen to show the emphasis on 'ability' rather than 'dis'.'"

Martin King can be contacted on 01568 620307.