A local food charity has celebrated its first full year of supporting its members with food hampers.

The Best Before Food Store in Rockwell Green marked its first birthday on Tuesday, September 19, when Wellington's mayor Marcus Barr joined the team to meet the hardworking volunteers.

A buffet was held, put on by local family run bakery, A Wittle Slice, after the giving of presentations and the cutting of a birthday cake.

Paula Appleby, the scheme's Project Manager, said: "This was a great opportunity to celebrate together all that has been accomplished over the year. 

Volunteers celebrated a year of helping local people get affordable food
Volunteers celebrated a year of helping local people get affordable food (BBFS)

"We have helped around 70 families, have given out nearly 11,500 individual items of food, and have provided lots of community activities for our members, as well as doing our bit to prevent food wastage."

The store operates as a club to which members pay a weekly subscription fee of £4. Members often take home groceries that would cost as much as £25 in a supermarket.

It also puts on a range of activities, including cookery classes and demos, arts and crafts, quizzes and more.

The volunteer-run charity operates from The Well Christian Centre in Rockwell Green every Tuesday afternoon between 3 pm and 5 pm.

The Food Store has invited residents who would like to become to members to get in touch via email at [email protected].