KENNET Furniture Exchange, which takes in donated household items and distributes them to those in need, is to expand as it attempts to keep up with the demand for its services.

The charity announced this week it is to advertise for two paid members of staff, a full-time project manager and a part-time team leader, as part of its four-year business plan that its board of directors has just drawn up.

Company secretary Kevin Humphrey said: "Once the paid staff members are in place, then we will start to look for a Lottery grant to finance new, larger premises.

"We really need bigger premises. We have to be selective about the furniture we keep because we haven't got the storage space at our current premises. Also, with a larger place we can display stuff better. At the moment, we have to clamber over items to get to the piece we need."

In its first five years the project has helped well over 1,000 households and handled tens of thousands of items.

"The major credit must go to the band of loyal volunteers who have supported the project and to the people who have donated the goods," said Mr Humphrey.

Anyone interested in learning more about Kennet Furniture Exchange is invited to the charity's annual meeting at Sarsen Housing Association's offices on November 15 at 10am.