VOLUNTEERS are needed to stop local people from going hungry as part of the UK's biggest food collection.

Slough Foodbank is urging the community to take part in Tesco's Neighbourhood Food Collection, which runs from Thursday until Saturday.

The collection is run twice annually by Tesco and is partner charities - food bank charity The Trussell Trust and food redistribution charity FareShare.

Slough Foodbank manager, Sue Sibany-King, said: ‘‘Anyone can find themselves in need of a food bank. Every week we speak to people who never thought they’d face going hungry, but something unexpected happened, an illness, redundancy or the boiler breaking, and they were thrown into crisis.

"We’re glad we can be here to help, but our work can only continue because of the unfailing generosity of the community. We’re honestly overwhelmed by the food, money and time people give.

"Volunteers in particular are the lifeblood of the work we do in helping stop local families going hungry, and the more volunteers we have at the Neighbourhood Food Collection, the more food we can collect. We’d love it if you could show us your support this summer.”

Slough Foodbank, a member of The Trussell Trust network, provides emergency parcels containing three days’ supply of emergency food to people referred by a frontline professional, such as Citizens’ Advice, housing associations or children’s centres.

In 2015/16, 3,100 three day emergency food supplies were provided by Slough Foodbank to people in crisis.

Slough Foodbank is currently asking for donations of long life milk, tinned carrots, tinned peas, tinned meat, washing-up liquid, laundry tablets and tin openers.

People interested in donating or volunteering should visit www.slough.foodbank.org.uk or contact events@slough.foodbank.org.uk