Accrington-based training provider North Lancs Training Group has continued its support for Hyndburn Food Pantry with the donation of a commercial toaster.

The toaster will be installed at the Food Pantry's free community café, based in Broadway in Accrington town centre, and for one week a month free toast will be offered to those in need during opening times, alongside a free hot or cold drink.

North Lancs Training Group has a longstanding relationship with the Food Pantry, having launched a flagship pilot scheme together in 2022 to get more people work, interview or apprenticeship ready.

Gareth Lindsay, managing director of North Lancs Training Group, said: "We are proud to be able to support the Hyndburn Food Pantry with the donation of this brand new toaster.

"The work that the Hyndburn Food Pantry does is very important in the local community and we are keen to support them in any way we can."

Since 2022, North Lancs Training Group has also offered a free five-week cooking course to users of the pantry, which saw all those attending receive a free slow cooker.

Hyndburn Food Pantry is an affordable food club, which offers a sustainable and dignified model of community food provision.

It has been set up to make shopping a positive experience for those that need a bit of help, encouraging the people of Hyndburn to choose the food they want to and can eat.

The Food Pantry recently underwent a refurbishment, which has seen old shelving and boarding removed and stripped right back to the walls, the installation of new boarding, racking and a new front counter, while a new kitchen has been installed and the Food Pantry's membership system will also become digital.

Eddy O'Brien, chair of Hyndburn Food Pantry, said: "We would like to thank North Lancs Training Group for this incredibly generous donation, which will now allow us to offer free toast for one week per month to those visiting the Food Pantry, as well as being a valuable addition to our café facility."