A FOOD redistribution charity is launching to help provide cheaper meals for people.

The Bread and Butter Thing is working with partners in Darlington to launch the scheme next week.

It is aimed at helping to provide good quality food to people at a fraction of the price.

The first hub is scheduled to open at Corporation Road Community Primary School on Wednesday.

It is hoped it will go ahead as planned despite school closures.

It has been funded through a three way partnership between Cummins, Darlington Building Society and Darlington Borough Council.

Ann Pringleton, headteacher at Corporation Road Community Primary School said: "Bringing The Bread and Butter Thing to Corporation Road will have a transformative effect on our children and their families, as well as the extended local community.

"We also want to use this opportunity to build our local community connections - our older pupils will help run a delivery scheme to elderly people who find it difficult to leave their homes, we're planning cookery lessons with parents as well as projects around the environmental impact of food surplus."

Darlington councillor Jonathan Dulston, cabinet member for stronger communities said: “TBBT have a brilliant track record in transforming local communities through their affordable food initiative and we are delighted to be bringing the charity's work to the heart of Darlington.

"We are aware that access to affordable high quality is a serious issue for many local people, so we've teamed up with TBBT to make a positive difference to those in greatest need."

It is hoped the Darlington scheme will grow to take place every week at a variety of community spaces across the town, including schools, community centres and churches centred in areas of greatest need in the borough.

Members pay £7.50 to have their shopping bags filled with a minimum of £35 worth of items made up of quality fresh food and store cupboard staples from supermarkets.

Details of the further four Darlington hubs, dates, times and collection details will be announced at a later date.