MUSIC enthusiasts and record collectors will be pleased to hear that Tavistock Oxfam's vinyl department is back in action after the charity's move to new premises in West Street.

The music and media department was put into storage while the clothes shop and bookshop were moving.

The department has a special team of volunteers with a passion for vinyl — Keith Clark, Keith Urro and Paul Turner, also known as DJ XL. The enthusiastic team has made some good finds so far, including a rare 1965 Dusty Springfield album, but they are always in need of more donations.

Paul, currently studying sound engineering and production at Plymouth University, has been at the shop for three weeks and is a self-confessed vinyl fan. He said: 'With MP3s you have nothing to hold onto. People enjoy the process of putting the needle onto the record. Vinyl is still important to people — it shows you have a value for music when you own vinyl.'

The department has a wide mix of musical genres from jazz, classical and foreign music to more modern dance and hip hop and movie soundtracks.

Paul said: 'We're trying to keep it eclectic and diverse to appeal to anyone and everyone and not to alienate anyone. There is lots for a vinyl connoisseur. We're hoping to break the stigma of Oxfam being a "fuddy duddy" shop and emanate a professional product with people who know what they're talking about. We want to give the records the respect they deserve rather than being shoved in a box at the back of the shop.

'We're really trying to push the obscure and educate people at the same time — trying to be an educational resource as well as music sellers.'

The team said they are happy to keep a look out if anyone is after a specific record or item, but are in need of donations for the music and media department.

Anyone who would like to donate or would be interested in volunteering their time can contact the shop on 01822 615534.