A FOODBANK for needy families is about to open in a Hampshire town.

Jacqueline Brown, Claire Skelly and Jim Hogg are launching the foodbank in Ringwood with the help of Salisbury-based charity The Trussell Trust.

Families in Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Verwood living in food poverty will be able to apply for help.

Mrs Brown said: “Hundreds of people in this area are going hungry for a number of reasons.

“Many are working but when an unexpected bill drops in, for example to fix the car, they are having to make choices between fixing it or buying food.

“While I was a governor at Ringwood School I learned about the poverty some of the children were living in.

“This is perceived to be an affluent area yet there are pockets of deprivation.”

The trio are launching the service at the Wesley Centre in Christchurch Road from 7pm-8pm on July 5.

For more information about the Ringwood Foodbank contact 07501 598800 or go to ringwoodfoodbank.org.uk or trusselltrust.org.