A scheme set up to support people struggling financially has doubled the hours it is running to meet demand.

A Food Pantry was established at Highfield Community Centre, Cockermouth, in 2019. It has been running monthly, providing people - including many families and pensioners - with food.

Such is the demand, the volunteers who run it have decided to run the scheme fortnightly.

Mary Mitchelhill, secretary of Highfield Residents' Association, said: "There's a need, we know our community and that things are still so hard for a lot of people so we felt that justifies doing the Food Pantry twice a month."

Up to 80 people use the scheme.

"There was a great turnout for our first extra one. There were many of our regulars but there were also a few new faces so we were pleased with that," said Mary.

The project is run in collaboration with Fareshare, which sees surplus food from supermarkets being redirected to support communities.

"Not everyone can access the Foodbank but anyone can access the Food Pantry," said Mary.

"There's a small charge because we have to pay a certain amount for the the food. People pay £2 per carrier bag and are allowed a maximum of two bags which can contain more than £30 worth of food.

"A lot of people have said, especially those people on a pension and families, that it makes a big difference to them.

"It's a great way to access cheap food.

"What we have varies each time. Last Friday there was lots of sausages, ready meals, fresh veg, flour and children's drinks."

The scheme is used by a mixture of people. "We do not turn anyone away," said Mary.

"It's sad that we have reached this stage. The pandemic did not help. We knew there were problems before with people struggling on low wages or with no work at all. The pandemic made it worse, we just try and do our bit."

To book a time slot at the next Food Pantry call association chairman Robert Chapman on 01900 823861.