A SCHEME offering fresh produce to hard-up families in the Beaminster area has won support from local residents.

People have donated nearly £600 in vouchers to the food bank set up at Beaminster Children’s Centre.

People began donating a range of dried and canned foods at Beaminster Children’s Centre last year to help families that couldn’t afford to buy all the groceries they needed. Since July, people have also been able to buy vouchers at local shops allowing the children’s centre to add fresh produce and toiletries to the bank.

Local primary schools have also shown their support. Salway Ash, Beaminster St Mary’s and Parrett and Axe schools have all donated their harvest festival goods to the scheme. Beaminster Children’s Centre leader Nicola Shoemark who started the food bank said: “The reaction to the food bank and the voucher scheme has been amazing.”