The volunteers who run it joke that their regular customers always track them down eventually – and this year, they are in the former Traders club at 36a High Street (overlooking the war memorial).

The Cards for Good Causes shop was officially opened last Friday, and will be open from 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday, until December 19.

As well as browsing through cards for 40 local and national charities, visitors can see a small display about the history of the shop itself.

Photographs of every premises it has occupied since 1969 are on show – and provide an intriguing insight into the changing commercial face of the town centre.

This year the shop could not be more centrally located.

The access is just round the corner from Gascoigne Pees estate agents, and opposite The Lounge restaurant.

Regional organiser Judith O’Sullivan said: “It was difficult to find an available venue this year, but following an appeal in the local Press we were very pleased to be offered such a central location.

“I would like to thank the landlord, Robert Woolgar, for allowing us to have it.

“The room is on the first floor, which is a slight disadvantage - however, the volunteers are more than happy to bring cards down to anyone who need help, and will make every possible effort to overcome this issue.”

She added: “The importance of buying Christmas cards to help support charities has never been higher.

“Our volunteers give their services absolutely free, and this enables us to keep our running costs to a minimum and make the highest possible return of 79p in the £ to the charities.”

The shop was officially opened by Dick Hannington, who has been a volunteer helper since 1969.

“Our first shop was in Lavant Street, in what is now Petersfield Electrical Services but was then Phillips opticians,” he said.

“Since then, we have been in 23 different premises, including the upstairs meeting room in the library and the museum.

“We have actually been in the premises we have got this year before - in 1988, when it was known as the Footsteps Club.”

Shop manager Phil Willoughby said: “Dick is one of many volunteers and every October he helps set up the shop after storing much of the equipment in his own sheds for nine months.”