A building society has transformed two of its East Lancashire branches into donation points for a community grocery store.

St Bartholomew’s Church in Colne hosts a community grocery scheme every Friday morning from 9.30am to 12pm, providing vital groceries to those in need.

Those wishing to donate items to the scheme will now be able to drop them off at the Skipton Building Society branches in Colne and Burnley.

The scheme is looking specifically for toiletries for men, women, and children, such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant.

Mandy Kroukamp, community grocery organiser at the church, said: “The community grocery is here to support the people of Colne who are suffering from food poverty due to the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.

“We depend on donations to be able to continue this support. However big or small, donations are always gratefully received. Everything that is given makes a difference to people who have very little, many of them children.”

Imran Najeeb, branch manager at the building society’s Colne and Burnley branches, added: “We’ve bee part of the Colne and Burnley community for many years so supporting such an important cause in and for our local community is something we really want to help with.

“We’re opening our doors as donation points for the community grocery and we’d like to invite local people to pop in and donate whatever toiletries they can, and we’ll arrange for all the items to be taken to St Bartholomew’s for them to continue their amazing efforts in helping others.

“Everyone should have the right to access basic necessities, but with the cost-of-living crisis we know many people are having to make tough decisions.

“We want to play out part in making a positive impact in our community and by collecting these donations, we’re pleased to come together to help those who need it most.”

Donations of toiletries and other non-perishables can be brought to the Colne branch on Church Street and the Burnley branch on St James’ Street between opening hours.

Alternatively, donations can be taken straight to St Bartholomew’s Church on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings between 10am and 12pm.