A SCIENTIST who researches cancer cut the ribbon to open a new charity shop yesterday.

Keen bargain hunter Dr Diana Alcantara opened Cancer Research UK’s new shop in Western Road, Brighton.

The research fellow in the Genome Damage and Stability Centre at the University of Sussex donated a bag of items as the shop opened. She said: “Shops like this one provide vital revenue for the charity and help fund its groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer – the type of work I do.”

The shop features a board where supporters can leave words of encouragement and write about their own experiences.

Shop manager Claire Hatfield said: “We’re asking people to help stock our new shop by clearing out their wardrobes and cupboards.”