A CHRONIC shortage of volunteers is threatening the future of Bolton Hospice's money-making shops.

Already, some of the six branches dotted around the borough have had to close on certain days. Now, Hospice shops' co-ordinator Karin Handley is warning that she cannot rule out closures if more helpers are not found.

The situation is a real worry to the Hospice, off Chorley New Road, because the shops provide an annual income of around £200,000 towards vital funds. The 14-bed Hospice and adjoining Day Unit -- which offers treatments, therapies and social activities for seriously ill local people -- costs £1.5 million a year to run. It is funded entirely by public donation.

"Every day, we seem to be facing a staffing crisis at one shop or another," said Karin.

"The sad thing is that the public of Bolton supports these shops so well," she explained.

The shops are situated in Chorley Old Road; Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge; Bury Road, Bolton; Market Street, Westhoughton; High Street, Little Lever and Tonge Moor Road, Bolton.

They normally open five days a week and some also open on Saturday mornings. But already individual shops are closing on half days each week

"There is now a very real danger that some may have to close altogether because we simply do not have the people to staff them," said Karin.

The problem stems from a combination of social trends which are hitting volunteer numbers throughout the Hospice.

More retired people are filling their spare time with holidays and visiting health clubs, and more are involved in looking after grandchildren because of the high cost of childcare.

"We have some brilliant volunteers, both men and women," added Karen, "and they really enjoy working as a team in our shops. But there just aren't enough of them at present."

Possible closure of any of the shops would also have an immediate effect on the local community, points out Sarah Wiggins from the fundraising department.

"These shops provide a real service for local people to buy items cheaply, and we have many regular customers," she said.

"When we had to close our Farnworth shop recently because the lease had expired, we had quite a few calls from disappointed local people."

Anyone who can offer any amount of time to help out should contact Karin Handley at the Hospice fundraising office on 01204 520040.