Two Weymouth sisters opened Cancer Research UK’s new store in the town in a poignant move to honour their mum who passed away from the disease.

Danielle Baber, 27, and her sister Georgina, 25, cut the ribbon and officially opened the doors of the store in St Mary Street to customers. They were joined by their dad Steve, 57.

The shop is the charity’s 597th and is packed with hundreds of items of pre-loved clothing as well as a selection of homeware, books and children’s toys.

Danielle and Georgina know the importance of funding research into the disease, after their mum Joanne Reynolds was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer in 2016.

Mum-of-one Danielle said: “Finding out that mum had cancer was completely devastating for us all. We were told initially that mum had between six and 12 months to live but she ended up having two-and-a-half years with us and that’s because of developments with research and new drugs that came available for her.

“The doctors and nurses gave her excellent care and she baffled them all with how she fought on – she was so positive throughout.”

Danielle and Georgina have been determined to do what they can to raise awareness of the life-saving research carried out by Cancer Research UK and the need to continue to develop better and kinder treatments for people with cancer.

Last summer, cheered on by their mum, they took part in Race for Life at Kingston Maurward and raised more than £2,000 for the cause.

Danielle said: “We are really proud to be guests of honour and open Cancer Research UK’s new shop right here in Weymouth. It’s a lovely thing to do in mum’s memory.”

Every week around 630 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West of England. All profit from the shop supports the charity’s life-saving research.

Julie Byard, Director of Trading for Cancer Research UK, said: “We are delighted to be opening our first shop in Weymouth. We will be providing a mix of quality items at bargain prices that I am confident shoppers in the town will love.

“Our shops and superstores up and down the country continue to prove a real hit with customers and we are really proud to be adding Weymouth to the collection.”

The shop will be open seven days a week, from 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am-4.30pm on Sunday.

• More volunteers are being sought who have an interest in retail and who can spare a few hours every week. Anyone interested can call in to the St Mary Street shop and speak to manager Deborah Bradley.