STUDENTS at a Nelson school have helped local people in need this Christmas by collecting items for a food bank.

The youngsters at Pendle Vale College, in Oxford Road, had already raised money for Children in Need and the Philippines Disaster Appeal, but decided they wanted to do something for a charity closer to him as well.

Teaching assistant Kath Parker spoke to Suzanne Waddicor at the food bank at the Grassroots Centre, at St Philip’s Church, in Leeds Road, and was told that food supplies were running low coming up to the festive period.

So Pendle Vale students held a donation week at the school last week and were encouraged to bring in suitable food items.

A group of Year Eight form captains led an assembly highlighting the vital support that food banks give to families in need, and a group of six Year Ten students collected donations from customers at Asda, in Colne.

Suzanne said: “On behalf of the many families in the area, I want to say a huge thank you to you and to all of your staff and pupils for the enormous quantity of food and Christmas gifts that were received today.

“These food parcels will make such a huge difference to the lives of local people who are hungry and in need.”

The collection of around 30 carrier bags full of tinned food and over a dozen boxes full of Christmas food and goodies was delivered to the Grassroots Centre in the school minibus.