THE goods in new Skipton shop Kooky should not cost the Earth.

Self-confessed "hippy chick" Claire Bannister has opened the eco-friendly shop on Mount Pleasant.

It is an Aladdin's Cave of reclaimed wood furniture, vintage and retro items and hand-painted recycled products.

Claire, from Sutton-in-Craven, is also keen to encourage local artists and tradespeople to display and sell their work at the shop.

The 33-year-old, who previously worked on a leather stall on Skipton Market, said she had grown up in an eco-friendly household and her parents had recycled goods long before it became the thing to do.

"I wanted to sell things I believe in," she said. "I am passionate about the environment and wanted this to be a central ethic of my business.

"I want to contribute during my time here rather than just exploit. I suppose I'm just a hippy chick at heart.

"I buy fairly traded goods as much as possible and use all recycled carrier bags. I'm always trying to think of ways to re-use everyday items. Hand-painted jam-jar candle holders are so simple but are proving really popular.

"It's all about reducing consumer impact on our planet and appreciating the craftsmanship of older items."