A CHARITY which gives fresh hope to hundreds of children in the world's most violent hotspots is opening a shop in Highworth.

Action For Children In Conflict which works to break the cycle of violence, hatred and despair in countries riven by ethnic rivalry has chosen the town as the location for its fifth shop.

And the news will please music lovers and bookworms.

The outlet, which is opening early next month on the site of the former Fattios restaurant, in High Street, will specialise in high quality secondhand records, CDs and books.

Charity spokesman Etienne Bonnin said: "Everything will be in good condition and there will be a good selection of CDs and books, with a lot of new stuff. We will also be selling bric-a-brac.

"When the shop opens, we will be appealing for donations and also looking for volunteers.

"Five people have already come forward to help.

"The charity chose Highworth as we are targeting small market towns rather than cities."

The Highworth store will be the first one outside Oxfordshire, and the charity hopes to open more in Wiltshire in the future.

Mr Bonnin said: "We aim to give children the means to get out of conflict situations and get educated and trained for jobs so they can have a decent life."

The charity has been particularly active in the West African country of Sierra Leone, where a generation of children bear the physical and emotional scars of years of bloody civil war. It has given money to a sports club for youngsters who suffered horrific amputations in the conflict and is helping to reunite children with their families.

In Tanzania, drop-in centres have been opened for street children.

It is also helping youngsters in the UK where it works with children of refugees and asylum seekers, and in Ireland, where a radio station was started, giving youngsters from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds the chance to work together on programmes.

Anyone wanting to volunteer to help in the Highworth store can contact Mr Bonnin on 01235 519395.

Tamash Lal