ANDOVER Food Bank - designed to help deprived people in short-term crisis - was opened by town MP Sir George Young on Monday, at St John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Emergency food boxes will be given to those in need, together with coffee and an chance to chat and get advice on the other agencies and charities which may be able to help. Food boxes will be given out in exchange for vouchers, which are issued by third-party agencies and charities. There are seven voucher distributors to start with - The Crisis Centre, Two Saints, The Bridge, Charlton Hill Surgery, Age Concern, Hampshire Children's Services and the Probation Services.

The bank occupies an office and warehouse, which have been given rent-free by the church in Alexandra Road.

Distribution will initially be from the office, but this will probably be moved to a more central town location at The Bridge, Bridge Street very shortly.

Parish priest Fr Des Connolly donated £6,200 from the church to get the project off the ground.

The idea for the project was first suggested to Fr Des by Patrick Lavelle, a parishioner who has also been the driving force getting the scheme off the ground.

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