A LIFEBOAT shop is desperately appealing for more volunteers.

The shop, which is part of the RNLI Harwich Lifeboat Station, can only open daily if there are enough people behind the counter.

But staff have found themselves covering more shifts than usual.

Barbara Wells, 81, one of the volunteers, said; “We take the rough with the smooth.

“You can be in here and not have anyone at all coming in, or it could be like Friday when it was mad.”

Volunteers work in shifts of three hours a week and the shop needs at least 14 people to run smoothly.

Mrs Wells believes there are many perks of the job to lure people in.

“I like seeing people spend their money, especially big amounts with a Barclaycard,” she joked.

“But it is incredibly interesting to meet people from all over the world – although you do sometimes have to use sign language.”

Keith Churchman, press officer for the lifeboat station, said: “They’re volunteers who man this shop and they’re great fundraisers who keep making money to keep the lifeboats at sea.

“We need anybody who can spare a few hours to come down and volunteer.”

Anyone who can help should call Mrs Wells on 01255 553465.