PEOPLE who have fallen on hard times and literally don't have the money to buy food now have a lifeline.

A food bank has been set up in Kennet to help people in need.

Churches in Devizes and surrounding villages saw the need for a food bank and it was launched on October 2 and has so far helped six families and three single people all over Kennet.

The food bank is manned by volunteers and was set up with the help of the Trussell Trust which has food banks in Calne and Salisbury.

Co-ordinator of the Devizes Food Bank Rosa-Diane Lancaster said: "The response from people donating food and helping to set up the food store has been fabulous.

"No sooner has one delivery been made, then more have been arriving. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed."

A number of donations of food have been made from schools and churches holding harvest festivals.

The food bank supplies a food parcel that will last for three days. Typically it contains tinned meat, tinned fish, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, cereals, rice pudding, UHT milk and pasta.

People cannot just turn up and claim a food parcel, they are referred to the food bank from a number of agencies including Citizens Advice Bureau, Sarsen Housing Association and the JobCentre which give out vouchers.

The agencies will also signpost people in need of help with their particular situation.

Mrs Lancaster said people receiving food from the food bank ranged from people who were working but had not enough money to cover the bills and buy food or had been in a relationship breakdown, or were unemployed or who were waiting for benefit payments.

One of those on the board of the food bank is Reverend Paul White of Sheep Street Baptist Church in Devizes who said: "In this day and age quite honestly nobody should go to bed hungry. Hopefully as a community we can banish that in Devizes."

The food store has been provided by Gaiger Brothers and a desk is provided for Mrs Lancaster at Alabare homeless drop in centre in Station Road, Devizes.

Anyone wanting to donate food or become a volunteer or join the board should call Rosa-Diane Lancaster on 0780 7973605 or email 163.767pthbook MT/priced"od or become a volunteer or join the board should call Rosa-Diane Lancaster on 0780 7973605 or email