A generous Blackheath businessman who has closed his gift shop after 24 years in the town has donated thousands of pounds worth of stock to a whole host of charities.

Treasure Island had been a feature on the High Street since 1994 when it was opened by Nagi Daya Singh.

But after reluctantly shutting up shop to retire Mr Singh has donated unsold stock worth thousands to a whole host of charities including the Hope Centre, Mary Stevens Hospice, Salvation Army and Midlands Air Ambulance charity shops, the Community Link Centre in Cradley Heath and animal charities.

Ian Cooper, Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Halesowen & Rowley Regis, helped Mr Singh distribute an array items from his shop as well as a packed storage unit.

Mr Cooper said: "Local charities have hugely benefitted already - they have been bowled over by the amount of stuff he has donated.

"The shop has been described as iconic and it really was a unique shop selling all kinds of collectible items and gifts - a cornucopia of stuff and Nagi is well known by everybody

"He does so much work for the community - he is Mr Blackheath."

Camilla Philips, who runs The Hope Centre, in Halesowen, said: "His generosity is amazing.

"He is very community-spirited and the great stuff he has given us will be sold in our shop in the Cornbow Centre to help fund the work we do here to help the homeless and people in need."

The 76-year-old widow decided it was time to retire after struggling to compete with online competition - but he still lives above the shop and has vowed he will never leave.

Grandfather of four Nagi said: "I started to lose money because business has been quiet because of online competition.

I wanted to give the stock to good causes and have had some lovely thank you messages.

"I'm a hard worker - I love to work hard for the community.

"I love Blackheath - I will continue to live in Blackheath above the shop until my dying breath - I will have more time now for the community and my party the Labour party.

"I want to make Blackheath a nice place for people to live and have lots of ideas."

Mr Singh has been chairman of Blackheath Traders Association and launched the town's Christmas lights event in 1997.

He moved to England from Paris to join his mother after his father's death.

The Porkhouse Cafe has taken over the site - moving from a few doors down.