SHABBY chic handmade decor items made by workers at an employment charity are to be sold in a new Halesowen women’s fashion store.

The Mint Boutique has teamed up with Beacon Employment, which provides work to people with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Boutique boss Maxine Stanford said the collection, including wooden wall plaques and key holders, fitted well with the Hagley Road store’s own decor and target audience.

“The interior pieces are half what someone would normally pay on the high street and all have that extra bit effort and love in them,” she said, adding: “We place a special focus on social issues in our community as it’s our way of giving back.”

The Mint Boutique specialises in contemporary clothing to woman of all ages and Mrs Stanford, who already has a branch in Kingswinford, hopes her latest venture, which opened last week, will become her flagship store.