THe ribbon was cut on the store by Mind's shop manager Jo Waller in a ceremony in the morning, bringing yet another donation led shop into the town.

Whitby town centre has a dozen charity stores within walking distance of each other, from New Quay Road to Skinner Street.

Charity shops have recently undergone a transformation with more people turning to cheaper stores during the credit crunch and television programs.

Anne Gowland, Mind's regional organiser said there was room for all the charity shops.

"If people weren't shopping in them then we wouldn't be opening," she said.

"Lots of people are turning to charity shops now and we are getting lots of donations."

Mrs Gowland added: "Mind looks forward to a successful venture in Whitby, and helping the local Mind association in Whitby and Scarborough. With one in four people experiencing mental distress at some time in their life, supporting the shop is an easy way to help."

Chairman of Whitby and District Tourism Association, and ghost walker, Harry Collett said the town could use a little variety in its shops.

"No-one is denying the great work these shops do but from a tourist perspective we could use a few more types of stores in the town," he said.

"I might even have to start doing guided walks around the shops."

The opening of the twelfth shop in Whitby leaves the town just four charity shops behind Middlesbrough, despite only having roughly an eighth of the population at around 15,000, meaning the town now has close to one charity shop per 1,000 residents.

Mind replaces Johnson's dry cleaners which closed last year.