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Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing cut a special anniversary cake to help mark the fifth anniversary of Epping Forest ReUse Centre.

The centre, off Bower Hill in Epping - which held an open day on Friday with local dignitaries among the guests - provides furniture and household appliances as well as crockery and glassware to members of the public, including people in need, at discount prices.

The facility also benefits the environment by re-using appliances and furniture which would otherwise go to landfill, and provides training and work experience opportunities for the long-term unemployed, those suffering mental ill-health or physical illness and learning difficulties.

Dame Eleanor said: "The ReUse Centre is one of my favourite places. The concept is absolutely brilliant. 

"Some people are fortunate enough to have furniture and household goods which they no longer need, other people are in great need of those very items, and the wonderful thing about the ReUse Centre is that it brings everyone together for the good of the whole community."

She added: "It's good for the environment because furniture and electrical items are not thrown away and it's good for those who are having times because they can come here to get the necessities to furnish their homes and look after their families.

"It also raises money as a very efficient and important charity but more than that, young people go to be trained, older people to be re-trained in electrical engineering and other such things, and by going to the ReUse Centre they meet a friendly person, a friendly face and someone to chat to.

"It's not just about the goods; it's about bringing the community together."

In 2017-18 alone, the charity provided £116,009 of goods at discount prices to people on income related benefits - 9.3 per cent up on the previous year.

Goods worth £11,319 were provided free of charge.

The centre, in 2017-18, also diverted 210 tonnes of goods which would otherwise have gone to landfill - the equivalent of 4,306 two-seater settees.