Council stages furniture swap shop

8.14.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Apr 2007

Save cast-off furniture from the scrapheap, furnish your home for free and do your bit for the environment during a community event in East Sheen this month.

Richmond Council is staging the second Give and Take Day at the Sheen Lane Centre on Saturday, 28 April, and is inviting local people to donate unwanted furniture, household and garden items and take their pick from the free goods on offer. You do not have to donate articles to take others away. It follows the success of the inaugural event in Twickenham last September, which attracted over 500 people and found new homes for more than eight tonnes - the same weight as a double decker bus - of furniture. Only items in good condition will be accepted and all electrical goods will be tested for safety.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment on Richmond Council, said:

"While the borough's recycling rate continues to rise, encouraging residents to reduce what they throw away and reuse items wherever possible is even more important. Spring is a peak time for DIY and home improvements and many people may have unwanted furniture or be on the lookout for new additions to their home. The Give and Take Day is a great opportunity to donate goods they no longer want and even pick up items free of charge."