MINEHEAD’S Original Factory Shop has launched a new campaign to aid local good causes, the shop’s deputy manager, Vicky Coles announced this week.

The store has opened a book exchange which will raise money for the popular Watchet charity Elliot’s Touch, set up by Paul and Donna Stevens in memory if their son Elliot, who died of the rare childhood illness, mitochondrial disease, in 20l5.

He was just 13 months and died during his fifth open-heart operation.

Over £120,000 has been raised to fund research into mitochondrial disease. Mrs Coles said that books donated by customers will help to provide more money for the charity.

The store has also set up a food outlet collection point for the West Somerset Food Cupboard which already has food outlets in several large shops in the area.

Mrs Coles said the charitable initiatives were set up to help the West Somerset community adding: “We hope customers will donate books for Elliot’s Touch and give surplus non-perishable items to the West Somerset Food Cupboard.”