A new charity has opened in Ilford today with a little help from a life-size lion.

St Francis Hospice lion Frankie helped Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Felicity Banks, and Ilford North MP Lee Scott to open the shop in High Road this morning.

The St Francis Hospice shop will sell a range of new and donated items including clothing, books and gifts.

Money raised will go to the hospice, based in Havering-atte-Bower near Romford, which provides help to people with cancer, heart disease and other life-limiting illnesses.