COUNCIL staff have donated more than 880kg of food to people in need this Christmas.

Durham County Council staff and members held a festive foodbank collection to put together Christmas hampers, which will be delivered alongside the emergency parcels supplies to people in crisis.

The donation to Durham Foodbank was enough to provide 1,103 meals.

Councillor Jane Brown, member for social inclusion, said: “We donate to the foodbank all year round, but we make an extra effort at Christmas to donate treats to go alongside the usual nutritious food cupboard staples. Donating an item can seem like such a small thing to do, but all the donations we receive can make a big difference to people in our community, who are unable to afford the kind of luxury items that we sometimes take for granted. No one in our local community should have to go hungry this Christmas.

“We are delighted to be able to give these boxes to the foodbank to help bring some normality on Christmas Day for people who are having a difficult time.”

Peter MacLellan, from Durham Foodbank, said: “We are really grateful to everyone at Durham County Council for their timely Christmas donations.

“Christmas puts great pressure on people in crisis and it makes a real difference to be able to offer some tasty extras to those who have to access the foodbank at this time.”