A charity shop in Didcot is closing, despite making £30,000 profit last year.

The Arthritis Research Campaign shop at 184 Broadway, will shut on Saturday, June 14.

Part-time managers Jenny Owen and Madeline Watts are retiring and the charity's head office in Chesterfield has decided not to take on another five-year lease when they leave.

Area manager Ken Dunning said the charity's strategic planning involved opening stores in other parts of the country.

He added: "Unfortunately, Didcot doesn't really fit in with that at the moment."

Mr Dunning paid tribute to the pair's contribution in maximising profits during three years at the helm, helped by a team of eight volunteers.

"The shop performed extremely well under their management, and closing it will be quite painful for the organisation as a whole," he said. Mr Dunning described the women as "irreplacable", and Ms Watts said head office seemed concerned it would be hard to find staff following her and Ms Owen's retirement. She added: "It will be a sad day when it shuts. People love to come in because it's such a friendly shop. But I'm 60 now and ready to hang my boots up."

The lease of the ground-floor shop and first-floor unit are being advertised.

Meanwhile, a British Red Cross charity shop in the same street is due to re-open after refurbishment.

The British Red Cross shop, at 96 Broadway, was forced to close last year after problems with its drains raised health concerns.

Part of the shop had to be demolished to reach underground pipes, but is set to re-open before the end of July.