Otley's Food Bank will start up next week in time to help anyone suffering hardship over the festive period.

The scheme, designed to provide struggling residents with essential goods while they seek longer term help, will open on Monday, December 2.

Set up following a Churches Together in Otley organised public meeting earlier this year, the food bank will not be open to the public but instead operate usinge a voucher and referral system.

Vicar of Otley and food bank steering committee member Rev Graham Buttanshaw said: "We work through community organisations like schools, churches and various other statutory and voluntary service providers.”