Staff at Trowbridge Town Council have been doing their bit to support people struggling to cope this Christmas, by collecting for a food bank.

The Storehouse Food Bank, in Church Street, was chosen as one of mayor David Halik’s personal charities for the year, and received six hampers of food from council employees on Tuesday.

Council secretary Trish Carpenter said: “When the request came through I thought I would get the staff on board.

“We have managed to get four Christmas hampers, with one from the staff from the Trowbridge Museum.

“The mayor has also got a hamper his wife put together, and another one from the Job Centre where he works.

“It was a really good effort from the staff, we had support from all departments.”

The charity provides food for people going through financial difficulties, and has found demand for its services increasing in the run-up to Christmas.

Centre manager Chris Neighbour said: “We are in the middle of a project collecting Christmas hampers, looking at a target of 120.

“Two weeks ago we thought we would be doing about 60, but as the need has grown people’s generosity has grown.

“We have seen an increase of a third this year. We have been having 50 people in a week, whereas a couple of years ago it was only around 30, and our collection for harvest this year was probably double last year.

“This year we have been lucky that the new mayor has chosen us as one of his charities, and we’re very grateful for the relationship with the council.”

The North Bradley Slimming World group also donated enough food for 15 hampers last week.

Member Tracey Bodman said: “They helped one of our members last year and we wanted to do something to help.

“If you can’t give back to your community at Christmas it’s a pretty poor show.”

Donations for the food bank can be made at any of the town’s three main supermarkets or by calling 07702 583143.