A RURAL community is launching its own food bank to help the growing number of families struggling to make ends meet.

With its picturesque villages and stunning scenery, Weardale may not spring to mind as a place where food banks are needed.

But like all areas it has affluent and less affluent areas and it has not escaped the blight of food poverty.

The nearest food banks are in Crook, which is about a 40-mile round trip from Upper Weardale villages like Cowshill and Ireshopeburn. Cuts to public transport in recent years, meanwhile, have exacerbated the problem.

Residents Jo Hayes and Liz Curry run a weekly baby and toddler group in Stanhope and have become increasingly aware of the problems faced by some families and individuals in the dale.

And next Tuesday, from noon to 1pm, the pair will launch a new food bank at St Thomas’ Church Hall in Stanhope with the help of a small team of volunteers.

Donations of non-perishable food and essential items, such as toilet rolls, toiletries and sanitary products, are desperately needed.

Mrs Hayes, a retired community education officer, said: “We are starting off slowly and are going to see how it goes.

“Going to a food bank is a big thing. It’s not always easy to seek help, and it may take a while for people to feel confident enough to come along.

“We are just ordinary people and we want to let people to know that we are here if they need us and that we care. Everyone is welcome”

Mrs Hayes said her role as a community education officer, along with her voluntary work, had brought her into contact with many Weardale families over the years.

“I know a lot of people in Weardale and I know there is definitely a need here,” she said. “We hear of these issues a lot and I know our former vicar, the Reverend Susan Kent, who sadly died last year, used to take food parcels up to people. Weardale may appear to some people to be an affluent area but food poverty does exist here.”

Anyone who would like to donate items for the food bank can drop them off at St Thomas’ Church in Stanhope between 10am to 4pm every day.

To find out more, contact Mrs Hayes on 01388-517572.