FLINTSHIRE Council and local businesses have joined forces to back the 'reverse advent calendar' campaign.

The council’s officers, along with employees from Theatr Clwyd, Newydd Catering and Cleaning and Wales Audit Office, have come together to back the foodbank campaign.

The scheme works by instead of opening a calendar door each day, an item of food is placed in a box which is then donated to Flintshire Foodbank.

This will go some way to ensure that the Foodbank shelves are adequately stocked over the busy Christmas period.

Sarah Taylor, Branch Secretary of Flintshire Unison, said: ''We have had an overwhelming response to our campaign. Flintshire County Council employees from every department have got on board and donated to this very worthy cause.

''We have collected over 60 boxes and it’s fantastic to be able to hand them over to the volunteers from the foodbank today.'

"It may surprise you to learn, but, in the last 12 months, Unison Flintshire Branch has handed out a number of foodbank vouchers. This is a stark reminder that it’s local people in work as well as on Universal Credit who need extra help.''

Colin Everett, the council’s chief executive, and Sarah were present to help hand over the parcels to Sue Leake, project manager of the Flintshire Foodbank, in time to distribute the items to families for Christmas.

Sue Leake said: ''We’d like to thank everyone for their support – this food will genuinely make a difference to people in our local community.

''We don’t believe anyone in this day and age should have to face going hungry. That’s why, year round, we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us.

''Unfortunately, at this time of year, we are particularly busy and so we are really grateful for the support of Unison and Flintshire County Council.''