A dream became a realisation for two women with the opening of a shop to help people with Parkinson's.

A charity shop in aid of Parkinson's UK was officially launched on Tuesday in Chedgrave.

It has been described as a unique project as it is believed to be the first of its kind in East Anglia.

The shop was funded by Vickie Cunnane, and will be managed by Elena Lacovara, both who suffer from the disease.

Miss Lacovara last year also started the Beccles Parkinson's Young Onset support group.

She said: 'I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in December 2015 aged 47.

'I moved to Beccles last year with my partner and I thought that the town was lacking a young onset support group and it was there when I met Vickie.'

It was at a young onset group meeting when the pair first discussed the idea of opening a charity shop.

Mrs Cunnane funded the project on a shoestring budget and asked Miss Lacovara to run the shop

The shop sells a wide range of items including clothes, pictures and children's toys.

It will also give people who suffer from Parkinson's an opportunity to speak to someone for advice and information.

Miss Lacovara said: 'It was both mine and Vickie's dream for there to be something like this where people can come in and not only shop in aid of Parkinson's UK but to have someone they can speak to about what they are going through.

'I'm part of a Parkinson's support group on Facebook and I asked around and there are hardly any shops like at all in the United Kingdom or at all I believe in East Anglia which is incredible to think.

'Hopefully we can help people who are going through the same things as us and the money we raise can go towards slowing down the effects of the disease.'

The shop is based on 52 Langley Road in Chedgrave. It is open from 10am to 4pm between Tuesday and Friday and from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.

Do you have any Beccles stories? Email Kieran.lynch@archant.co.uk