CHARITY champions who run St Rocco's shops across the town have proved that they are worth their weight in gold after they fought off competition from national charities across the UK.

The hospice's charity shops have outperformed every other in the country according to a recent survey, which rates St Rocco's shops top in the UK for profitability.

The survey, run by finance magazine Charity Finance, examines the income, costs and profitability of more than 500 charity shops throughout the UK.

St Rocco's Hospice shops came top in the country in the 'Hospice Shops Profitability' category with an 81.2 per cent profit in 2004.

The charity even recorded an even higher profitability margin than national chains like Oxfam and Save the Children and earned itself a mention in the 'Outstanding Performances' category with the third highest profitability per shop per week at £1,108.

The first St Rocco's Hospice charity shop was set up 20 years ago in Battersby Lane, which later moved to Longford Street. Since then the number has expanded to eight shops, which are situated throughout the town.

The shops are staffed solely by volunteers who work tirelessly sorting, pricing and selling goods to the public to raise valuable funds for patients at the hospice.

Last year alone the shops raised more than £450,000.

St Rocco's appeals manager Claire Manock said: "These results are fantastic news and reflect the hard work and dedication of our hundreds of volunteers who work in St Rocco's shops.

"Their work is continually funding our patient care programme and now it has been recognised nationally. We are indebted to the shop volunteers for their support."