A NEW foodbank, providing essential items for disadvantaged families in the north of the district will open today.

The Bradford North Foodbank will help families in the BD2, BD9, BD10, BD17 and BD18 postcodes, as well as in Calverley vllage.

The foodbank operates out of the Church on The Way, Bradford Road, Five Lane Ends on Mondays from 1pm until 3.30pm and from St Luke’s Church on Harrogate Road, Eccleshill on Thursdays from 11am until 1.30pm.

The charity, run by the Trussell Trust, currently needs donations of dried skimmed milk powder, tinned carrots, tinned sweetcorn, tinned potatoes, as well as soap and bathroom products.

People can be referred to the foodbank by professionals such as doctors, social workers and police, who provide them with emergency food vouchers they can bring to the foodbanks.

At the foodbank volunteers will refer them to other agencies that may be able to help.