TENS of thousands of pounds have been made available to tackle 'alarming' food poverty in Bolton.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has unveiled a new Food Insecurity Response Fund to support people living in the town and other former mining communities.

The trust is set to provide £50,000 to initiatives working to eliminate food poverty and insecurity.

For projects involved in feeding families and children, the trust's partner, Company Shop Group, will match fund ­— creating a pot of up to £100,000.

Andy Lock, head of operations (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “Since lockdown, we have seen an unprecedented demand for food banks as poverty and hunger has hit.

"This is expected to get worse as job losses intensify and hours are cut.

“Before Covid-19, our communities were already experiencing significant health inequalities, with this added adversity, they are in crisis and need our help in accessing good quality, healthy and affordable food.

"Whether we support food banks, food parcel schemes or meal delivery services, we must get food onto the table of those people that cannot afford it.”

Projects can apply to the fund for up to £2,500 of funding.

If successful they will be granted membership of the redistribution supermarket, Company Shop.

Those supporting families and children will also be inline for a further £2,500 in matched funding.

The funds will be distributed as vouchers that can be redeemed for food and drink­— excluding alcoholic drinks ­— in Company Shop stores.

The Company Shop provides food and essential products which may have otherwise gone to waste.

Due to the supermarket's discounting, each £10 of vouchers spent will typically provide around £30 in goods.

Its nearest stores are located in Heywood and St Helens

Steph McGinty, retail, people and communities director at Company Shop, said: “We have worked closely with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for many years and are thrilled to be partnering on this new initiative which will help both organisations to reach even more children and families across the coalfield communities, at a time when they will benefit from our support the most."

The launch of the fund comes after the trust's State of the Coalfields 2019 report found that 42 per cent of residents former mining communities are among the 30 per cent most deprived in the UK.

Mr Lock added: “We must continue to do something to change this."

For more information or to apply visit www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/england/the-coalfield-food-insecurity-response-fund