A CHARITY shop has opened in Taunton town centre premises that have been empty for two years.

A ribbon cutting ceremony has taken place this morning to launch the shop in North Street for mental health charity Mind.

The honours were carried out by Sue Baker, global director of Time to Change, a campaign aimed at reducing mental health-related stigma and discrimination.

Donations and sales made at the Taunton store will help support the one in four people who experience a mental health problem every year.

The store was previously home to Jones Bootmaker, which closed in August 2017.

The Mind charity is based locally in Sussex Lodge, Station Road.

Mind previously had a charity shop in the town's Roman Road area.

Another charity shop set to open soon in the former Saltrock premises in Fore Street will raise funds for Cats Protection.

The building has been vacant since June last year.