A FUNERAL home is on a mission to help people who might be struggling with food poverty in the run up to the festive period.

H. H. Birch Co-op Funeralcare, Shipley, is supporting the Bradford North Foodbank by encouraging people to donate items to its food collection initiative.

These could include things like tinned goods, cereals, pasta, tea and coffee, plus toiletries and sanitary products.

Funeral Director David Robertshaw said: “Sadly, the use of foodbanks is on the rise, and with one in five of the UK population currently living below the poverty line, it’s more important than ever to support our local community. "Nobody should face going hungry at any time of the year, and donating even just one item really can make a huge difference to local people in crisis.”

He added: “Given that we are in the build up to Christmas, expenses are increasing and financial pressures are mounting so now more than ever is the time to be charitable and to pledge unneeded or add a few extra items to your next shop to be donated.

"We’re also very aware that the painful task of clearing out loved-ones homes can often mean you are left with toiletries and non-perishable food items so please do think about dropping these in to the donation point too, it really would be very much appreciated.”

People can donate by dropping off items to the Shipley Co-op and into the Funeralcare home on Bingley Road.