CALLINGTON'S Foodbank is reporting its highest ever stock levels and is urging people in crisis in the community to get in touch this Christmas.

Following a recent awareness day and collection at Tesco in Callington where more than 1,300kg of food was donated by customers, the warehouse at the Mustard Seed Church is fully stocked and will not run out of food this festive season, it has been confirmed

Foodbank manager the Rev David Jewell is appealing to people to not be afraid to ask for help: 'The numbers of people who are coming to us are growing. Since we opened in October 2011, we have had 1,102 people through the door so clearly the message is getting through but there are others, particularly the elderly, who are slipping through the net.

'There are some people who are looked after by family, friends and neighbours but we believe there are others who have not got a support network and don't like asking for help.'

Over Christmas, people can go direct to the foodbank which is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays except Boxing Day as some of the places which issue food vouchers like doctors' surgeries and social services offices may be closed. A food parcel is given, enough to last three days.

Mr Jewell said the warehouse currently had 3.1 tonnes of food: 'The stock is enormous. We are not going to run out of food this Christmas so I would urge people in crisis to please use the foodbank.'

The generosity of the residents of Callington and surrounding area has been praised by Mr Jewell with plentiful donations from all the collection points such as the children's centre and the library.

'Many schools donated produce from their harvest festivals, it's been fantastic. We have three months supply here at the moment even if it does get busy.'

At the Tesco collection, volunteers from the Royal British Legion and the Tesco Retired Staff Association joined foodbank volunteers to ask shoppers for food donations for local people in crisis.

The store donated an additional 30% on top of what was collected and in some cases people were donating bagfuls of food.

'I would like to thank everyone who has been so generous,' added Mr Jewell.