Charity bookshop volunteers are to celebrate the first anniversary of their new venture in one of the city’s most iconic buildings.

Catching Lives Bookshop opened in The Crooked House in Palace Street – formerly the King’s Gallery – in February last year.

Catching Lives, an independent local charity helping the homeless in the area, is the Gazette and News’s charity of the year.

Volunteers took on the 17th century half timbered building – famous for its skewed door – and filled the shelves with a range of fiction, special interest and vintage books.

They had previously run Palace Books, occupying a shop opposite, on the corner of Borough and Palace Street.

Janey Ireson, coordinator, said book sales had soared, with every penny going to the charity.

She put the improved sales down to the historic location.

“Since moving to our new shop our business is booming – we’ve got lots more donations coming in, lots more customers coming through the door,” she said.

On Saturday, volunteers celebrated the first anniversary, offering cakes and chocolates to customers.

Ms Ireson said: “Thanks to all our volunteers, all the kind donors of books and everyone who has helped the bookshop become so successful over the past year.”

The Catching Lives Bookshop is open seven days a week from 10am to 4.30pm in winter and 10am to 5pm in summer.

To enquire about volunteering, pop into the shop.