Charity shop staff have been overwhelmed with donations and shoppers since stores reopened as lockdown restrictions ease, but thieves have also been busy.

Store managers across Dartford and Gravesend have expressed their gratitude to those bringing and buying items after branches were closed for more than three months.

But some donations haven't even made it into the shops.

Mike Stevens, a volunteer at Cancer Research in Gravesend, said: "We have had donations left outside but some of them have been stolen. However, lots of people are still donating."

He said there had been a rise in some types of donations: "We've had lots of books and DVD donations as no other charity shops in the area are accepting them.

"We take them, as you never know when you'll need them in the future.

"The shop has been busier than normal but, as usual, some days are good and others are bad."

Carol Beer, who is in charge of the team at YMCA in Dartford, said: "Donations have been going really well.

"The store is all safely socially distanced and all our volunteers are back with renewed enthusiasm.

"We were really busy the first week and we've had lots of lovely donations.

"We've been in Dartford for many years and we are so impressed with the support we've had from our regular shoppers and new ones.

"I've been bowled over with generosity; it has been terrific."

Robin Beaney, store manager at the British Heart Foundation Furniture and Electrical shop in Gravesend, agreed. He said: "We have been very busy since reopening.

"We're not getting many donations but last week was our busiest in the 10 years we've been here.

"People are booking furniture collections two weeks in advance but we do need more donations.

"We are really grateful for any large furnishings people would like to donate."

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