BAGS, crates and even trolley-loads of food have been donated to the food bank by generous Flintshire slimmers ahead of the busiest time of the year for those in need.

Donations were collected by members of Slimming World groups from across the county that meet weekly over a period of two days before the consultants made the massive donation on 364kg of food.

Consultants Nicky Swain, Susie Preston, Katie Jacks, Kaye Robertson, Cathy Antrobus, Laura Milward, Elen Dera, Emily Hill and Bonnie Wilson made the drop off on December 6 as well as Tracey Evans, who is Slimming World’s area manger for Flintshire and South Cheshire.

Tracey said: “I would like to say how proud I am of all the Flintshire Slimming World Consultants and their members for getting behind such a worthy cause! Our Slimming World members are like family, they are so generous and we cannot thank them enough. They help and support each other every week in group and wanted to help and support others in their local community.”

The Leader previously reported that usage of food banks doubled in Flintshire last Christmas, according to figures from the Trussell Trust - the UK's biggest food bank network.

The Trust is bracing for its busiest ever Christmas, with figures suggesting a record numbers of people in need will seek support this December.

In Flintshire, the charity handed out 1,181 three-day emergency food parcels last December, equivalent to 267 every week – including 580 (49 per cent) to children.

Sue Leake, who is manager at the food bank along with husband Andy, recently told the Leader that she wishes to thank everyone who has made donations.

She said: "We have had a great response to our collections and we're very grateful for all donations. Flintshire is an amazing place. There's quite a lot of need by there are lots of people who are extremely kind and want to help meet that need."

The food bank offers emergency parcels for people in crisis. Its clients must be referred.

To find out more about the food bank, and how to offer your support, go to www.flintshire.foodbank.org.uk.