YORK has been picked by a national charity to be the setting for its first shop solely devoted to music.

Building on the success of the music department in its Micklegate bookshop, Oxfam has decided to devote the whole space to selling an extensive range of sheet music, records and CDs as well as second-hand instruments and musical equipment.

Lee Spracklen, manager of the Micklegate shop, said: "We've seen the music side of Oxfam Books grow and grow, especially in York where there's such a lively scene. I'm really looking forward to watching how the new shop develops. I'm sure it going to be as successful as our bookshop."

Lee is hoping that, with the support of his stalwart volunteers, and any new ones who want to get involved, the new Oxfam Music Shop will open on March 19.

"We would really appreciate more volunteers to help with the new music shop. But we still need donations of CDs and records and books for our bookshop," he added.

Oxfam's popular bookshop will relocate to the charity's Petergate site, where the choice of books will be improved and expanded.

Fair trade products will also continue to be sold in the Petergate shop.

Updated: 11:44 Monday, March 04, 2002