A Norfolk charity is urging people not to leave donated goods outside their shops after hours because it creates a hazard and can leave them facing a hefty bill.

A Norfolk charity is urging people not to leave donated goods outside their shops after hours because it creates a hazard and can leave them facing a hefty bill.

Two weeks ago the Break charity found a washing machine on the pavement outside its Attleborough shop, which cost them about £40 to have removed.

Now, a fridge freezer has been left on the doorstep of the Church Street shop and the charity is once again facing a bill for its disposal - reducing the amount of money raised to provide holidays for disabled people.

Lesley Leigh, Break's retail business manager, said: “As grateful as we are for donations, it costs us a great deal of money to recycle things like this that are not fit for sale. As a charity shop, we rely on the goodwill of local people to bring us their unwanted clothes, books, bric-a-brac and other items - without them we would not be able to raise funds to support the holidays for children and adults with disabilities.

“Also because items are being left outside our shops' opening hours it does present a safety hazard. In fact one of our shops in Norwich had donations of clothing left outside the door recently and during the night these were set fire to, which obviously caused damage and a great deal of disruption for the shop.

Items are also stolen during the night, which means Break does not receive the benefit of the money generated by their sale - a problem experienced by other charities.

She added: “We always love to see you with your bags of donations, but would definitely prefer them between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday when we are open please.”

For more information about Break please call 01263 822161 or visit www.break-charity.org