FOOD bank volunteers have been left perplexed after being banned from using their usual venue.

The Pudsey Labour Party Volunteers Food Bank Collection usually runs its donation point at Pudsey Bus Station.

But, the group were contacted recently by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority - who manage the station - regarding a complaint about canvassing at their last collection, on February 1.

A West Yorkshire Combined Authority spokesperson said: "The Combined Authority actively promotes the use of all its bus stations for activities such as community and charity initiatives.

"In line with the regulations that apply to this use, we took this action after receiving an allegation of political activity taking place."

One of the volunteers, Chris Dunford-Kelk disputes this claim however.

He said: "The West Yorkshire Combined Authority, who manage the bus station, contacted me regarding a complaint that we'd been canvassing at our recent food bank collection.

"This allegation is completely false.

"Our food bank collections have always been non-political.

"We hand out leaflets that tell people what items the food bank require and we have a booklet that we can give to people who are in need, which tells them how they can get help, but neither of these are political."

Mr Dunford-Kelk added that The Combined Authority could not tell the group the exact identity of the person who had contacted them.

But, the group believe the complaint was politically motivated.

Mr Dunford-Kelk said: "There was a similar complaint this time last year, the Combined Authority investigated, found the complaint to be groundless, and told us how pleased they were that the bus station was being used to make a positive difference in the community.

"It's noticeable that complaints like this keep being made just before the local election campaigns kick off.

"In my view, this is a scandalous abuse of power.

"We've put a Freedom of Information request in to tell us who has made the complaint, so that we can report them to the Council's Standards Committee."

The Pudsey Labour Party Volunteers Food Bank has announced since that its next donation point will run, but at a new location - outside Greggs.

Council candidate Mark Sewards said: "It’s a shame that we've been told not to use the bus station any more but that won’t stop us collecting for those in need.

"The advantage of the bus Station is that lots of people pass through and see that we're collecting, and come back with donations.

"We are incredibly grateful for the goodwill and support of local people who have donated to our food bank collections.

"We hope that the people of Pudsey will continue to show their support at our new collection point and give generously to the food bank."

But, there's every chance the donation point could return to its original venue, sooner rather than later.

The Combined Authority spokesperson said: "We are keen to have the food bank in the bus station and would be happy to discuss how we might resolve this issue with the group."

If you would like to help out and donate, the next donation point will be outside Greggs in Pudsey, near the bus station.

It will take place between 10am and 12pm on Saturday, March 7.