BLACKBURN Foodbank volunteers have been thanked for their efforts by borough leader Kate Hollern.

She said in just one year of operation it had helped feed more than 5,000 people.

In a report to Blackburn with Darwen’s Council’s full council forum tomorrow, she says: “I would like to thank all the volunteers who run this extremely important organisation, and also urge residents, fellow councillors and staff to continue supporting foodbanks. More and more people are being forced to visit foodbanks. It is sad in this day and age that we need them, but it is a blessing they exist.”