A SPECIAL area in St Albans city centre dedicated to the use of charity stalls at no charge has been agreed by the district council. It has come about as a result of the plight of Save the Children (SCF), highlighted in the Herts Advertiser, which was to

A SPECIAL area in St Albans city centre dedicated to the use of charity stalls at no charge has been agreed by the district council.

It has come about as a result of the plight of Save the Children (SCF), highlighted in the Herts Advertiser, which was told that its annual Christmas stall had been ousted from its usual prime city centre slot and the charity would have to pay for the first time.

This week the council revealed that the designated area for charity stalls would be behind the St Peter's Street frontage in the space between Barclays Bank, the Nationwide Building Society and Ladbrokes.

And the council confirmed that SCF would be able to use the new pitch free of charge.

Council leader Robert Donald explained that the site of the free charity pitch was a compromise because commercial traders paying rent already occupied the St Peter's Street frontage where SCF had been in previous years.

But he said that SCF and other bona-fide charities would be able to set up at right angles to Ladbrokes. "It is a very prominent site and I don't think they will suffer," he said.

Charities will still have the option of booking a stall on the existing market for £8.50 if they want a more prominent position.

The arrangement will be reviewed after Christmas and charities will still have to register with the council to use the special area.

Cllr Donald added: "I am delighted that we have been able to find a fair solution to this problem which both enables all charities in future to use the spare space in the civic centre off St Peter's Street to raise funds without a fee and specifically will mean that the Save the Children fund will not be charged for selling their cards there.