A WINCHESTER charity that helps the homeless is opening a shop in Eastleigh.

Emmaus has leased 15 Leigh Road from where it will sell second-hand furniture and household goods.

The charity opened a home for 20 formerly homeless people, called companions, at Bar End earlier this year.

It already has a shop that sells furniture at Bar End and is trading above expectations.

Alison Thompson, chairman of Emmaus Hampshire, said: "I can hardly believe that we have come so far so fast. The opening of this second shop demonstrates the confidence I and my trustees have in our project's future and in the enthusiasm our companions show for expanding our business."

Emmaus offers friendship and work to its residents and aims to challenge negative attitudes to the homeless.

The Eastleigh shop is in a prime location opposite Sainsbury's and near the town's popular market. It will be open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am-4pm.

Some of the companions who live at Bar End will man the shop and one of the Emmaus' vans will regularly deliver to keep it supplied with new stock.

In addition to furniture, bric-a-brac, books, CDs and small electrical items, there are plans to add second-hand clothes to the range offered.