An organisation that offers a ray of hope for poorer members of Winchester's community officially opened its doors on Saturday.

The Basics Bank, in the basement of City Church in Jewry Street, offers food, tinned and dry, and clothes to the most needy of the city's families and individuals.

The service is there as an emergency resource for people who are struggling to make ends meet perhaps because an unexpected bill has turned up or a giro has been delayed.

The scheme is linked to the Basics Bank in Southampton which operates in the same way on a larger scale because it also runs a secondhand furniture outlet.

It was set up and is being coordinated by Chris Davis, chief executive of Scratch-Southampton City and Region Action to Combat Hardship.

Winchester's Basics Bank was set up through the hard work of Moira Knapman and members of the Winchester Area Community Action group and it opened in January.

Churches and other community groups, such as the Salvation Army and social services, issue vouchers to those they feel have an urgent need.

The vouchers can then be taken to the Basics Bank in exchange for a food package or clothing. However, the service has a limited budget and relies heavily on donations from companies and members of the public and supplies are always running low.

"Only last week, we had to spend £200 on food because our supplies were so low. We really need the support of the community to be able to work and help others who are less fortunate," said Moira.

Since it opened, the Basics Bank has helped 231 people, 74 of whom have been families, 181 vouchers have been used and 37 Winchester organisations are registered to issue the vouchers.

Mayor, Jean Hammerton, who officially opened the resource, said: "I think it is a wonderful idea. I offer all my good wishes for the work Moira and her volunteers are doing to help people."

Councillor for St Bartholomew ward, Sue Nelmes, said: "I did not know such a thing existed and I was very pleased to hear about it. It's so easy to buy one extra tin with your shopping and put it in the collection.

"It is very difficult to know by looking at someone how proud they are and how needy they are-but we cannot just stand by and let people starve."

Chris Davis said: "I applaud what has been achieved here and I really want to see it grow and develop so that more families and individuals can get help when they need it."

Minister at City Church, Peter Davey, said: "We would like to see the Basics Bank opening for more hours; long term, it could be open five days a week. We have demonstrated already that the need is there and, sadly, it can only grow. In order to be able to be open on more days we need the same three things to keep open as we are.

"They are a dependable rota of volunteers, a continual supply of food and clothing for clients, and a regular income from donations and trust funds. Any help people can give towards fulfilling these needs would be gratefully received and appreciated."

The Basics Bank is currently open on Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 3pm. Small donations may be dropped off at the City Church bookshop in Jewry Street while larger donations should be taken to the Basics Bank entrance, which is accessed by an alley between the church and the Cellar Peking Chinese restaurant.