As summer approaches, now can often be a good time to have a clear out of unwanted winter garments.

So two charities have set up a new clothing bank collection scheme to try and help people get rid of woolies clogging up their wardrobes - and raise money in the process.

The first two containers for the scheme have now been placed at the Saracens Head, in Diss, and Garboldisham Recreation Ground - with more planned for the future in village halls, recycling centres, sports clubs, supermarkets, public house car parks, bus stations and railway stations.

The money will be split between the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) and The Salvation Army.

Stuart Wyle, head of community fundraising for EAAA, said: 'This is a great opportunity to work with a new partner in the charity sector and benefit both causes from a joint venture.

'It gives our supporters another way of supporting us and helps us to support local communities to recycle unwanted items.'

Kirk Bradley, key account manager at Salvation Army Trading Company, said: 'We are very pleased to be working alongside EAAA and believe it's important that, as charities, we help each other where possible.

'This was a great opportunity for us to increase our clothing bank network and therefore help to raise more money for our respective charities.'

For more information about the initiative, including suggestions for new sites across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, email corporate@eaaa.org.uk or call 08450 669 999.