Your old clothes and bric-a-brac are needed to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

For the first time ever, the British Red Cross is appealing for stock for its 316 stores, including one in Rochester, for an emergency appeal.

It is giving the public the opportunity to donate unwanted goods with all money raised from sales going directly to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

People can drop-off off their good-quality clothing, books, homewares and unwanted gifts, say they want their goods to be sold for Haiti and they will be specially labelled for shoppers to see.

The Red Cross is part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which brings together 13 leading UK aid agencies at times of major crisis.

Mark Astarita, director of fundraising at the British Red Cross, said: "We are responding to customers and donors’ desire to do that bit more for Haiti. Cash is best but for many it may not be an option.

"We can’t send donated goods to Haiti but this is a way of turning an unwanted Christmas gift into cash that will go directly to help the thousands of people affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

"We have not done something like this in retail in recent memory and it has been made possible by our high-tech tills that can track and bank to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal."

The stock appeal for Haiti will run until Saturday, February 13. Any stock unsold after the campaign ends will be recycled or sold to help raise funds for Red Cross work.

To donate, visit the Red Cross shop in Rochester High Street.