Generous staff and residents of a housing association collected a massive 92kgs worth of essentials for a foodbank.

Throughout August, Greenfields Community Housing opened up its base, in Charter Way, Braintree, as a collection point for Braintree Area Foodbank.

Visitors were encouraged to donate items like toilet rolls, pet supplies, toiletries and soap powder as well as food, to meet demand over the summer holidays.

Emma Faulkner, Greenfields' inclusion co-ordinator, led the initiative.

She said: "We’re so pleased with this fantastic response to the appeal, which will truly help to improve the lives of those who are struggling.

"My role involves giving advice and guidance to residents who are having difficulty paying their bills, which can involve referring people to the food bank.

"Their invaluable work provides a lifeline to the community.”

Last year, Greenfields' joint fund with Braintree Council committed £30,000 over three years to help support the foodbank.

Maggie Drewett, administrator at Braintree Area Foodbank, said: "This year, we’ve seen an unprecedented number of visitors, and your donations will help us to meet the increase in demand that we are now seeing compared to the same period last year.

"Since April 2018 we have fed nearly 1,700 people, with over 690 of this number being children.

"This equates to approximately 15,201 meals supplied over the last five months alone. Your generosity has been amazing; thank you.”

Visit www.braintreearea.foodbank.org.uk.