A van that was used by Avon and Somerset Police for forensic work and criminal investigations has found a new home at the Somer Valley Foodbank.

Surplus to requirements, the van was handed over to the Wheels Project in Bristol where several young women carried out repair and maintenance work to give the vehicle a new lease of life.

The Bristol-based project works with young people aged 8–25 years old who have experienced social or educational deprivation. Project workers enable them to take vocational motor vehicle training, learn new skills, build their confidence, prepare for employment and better understand road safety.

Once it was fully serviced and given an MOT, the newly- established Somer Valley Foodbank took possession of the van.

Joy Fraser, the Foodbank Co-ordinator, said: "We've been in search of a van for some time that will help us transport food and goods from each of our distribution centres.

"Since we launched the project in January, almost fifty people have come to us asking for food. The new van will mean we can help even more people who are facing hardship in our area."

The community welfare project is led by several local churches and helps people in times of financial need when they cannot afford to buy food.

Foodbanks provide three days of emergency food to people who need it the most. Professionals such as health visitors, social workers, the CAB and police identify people in crisis and issue them with a Foodbank voucher.

The voucher can be taken to a Foodbank distribution centre where the food has been collected through donations, or from volunteer supermarket collections.

Joy added: "Over the last thirteen years, almost 300 Foodbanks have been established around the country to provide food in times of crisis, many of them over the last eighteen months in response to the growing need.

"With our new Somer Valley Foodbank, the professional agencies have been issuing vouchers to those they find in crisis and directing them to the food distribution centres in Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St John."

For more details, contact the Ammerdown Centre who receive enquiries for Somer Valley Foodbank: 01761 433709 or visit the new Foodbank website: http://www.somervalley.foodbank">www.somervalley.foodbank. org.uk