SUPPORTERS of the Morrisons food collection last Friday for the Tavistock Foodbank have been praised after a massive 920kg of food was donated.

With the Co-op collections it means that 1.3 tonnes of food has now been collected before the opening tomorrow (Friday) at 10am.

Project co-ordinator Val O'Neill expressed thanks to everyone who donated food items, transported the food and helped at the warehouse.

She said: 'The support by the public was at times quite an emotional experience.

'I have some lovely stories to tell but my favourite was the young lady who brought two carrier bags full of food and as she handed it over she said she had worked the Bank Holiday and wanted to give what she'd earned to the foodbank.

'I think that was amazing. I was also impressed by the many young people who donated items.

'We had a really great response.'

Val said volunteers would be working in the warehouse at the United Reformed Church for the next few days where new flooring had been laid.

'We will be taking vouchers from this week but will have an official launch in May where we will be honoured to welcome the new mayor.'

Vouchers for food parcels, which have a set list of staple, non-perishable and nutritionally balanced items, can be applied for through organisations such as Tavistock Citizens' Advice Bureau and Tavistock Children's Centre.