In 1998, 50 years since Oxfam opened its first shop, in Broad Street, Oxford, The Mail visited the charity's Ulverston shop.

There had been an Oxfam shop in Ulverston for more than 20 years. When the shop first opened on Cavendish Street there was just a small group of ladies with a sugar bowl on the counter to collect money.

In 1998 the shop took pride of place at the top of Market Place in a four-storey, Georgian listed building.

Anne Martlew had worked as a volunteer in the Ulverston shop for ten years.

"When I retired from teaching, I was looking for something to do with my time," she said.

"I was a willing volunteer because I've supported Oxfam since I was a girl."

Oxfam had started in 1942 as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief.

It moved into its first permanent base in Oxford's Broad Street in 1947 where clothing and blankets were collected and distributed to refugees in Europe. Its first shop opened in 1948.

The Ulverston shop earned about £50,000 a year for Oxfam.

Mrs Martlew said everyone was trained on how to run the shop as a proper business concern.

"We have training in customer relations and handling cash and lots of opportunities to hear about new developments and ideas within the organisation.

"When I started work here, I had no idea I would still be here ten years later, but I enjoy it.

"I've learned a lot from the experience and it's a chance to get out and meet people."

Occasionally valuable items were brought in to the shop and they had all to be valued carefully.

"We're not in the business of giving things away or just trying to get rid of them," said Mrs Martlew. "We have to price things fairly and get the best price we can for them. If I'm not sure of the value of something I take it to an expert."