LEDBURY Food Bank is in the unusual situation of having too much food for the clients who make use of its service, and harvest time has only served to boost stocks further.

Food Bank Secretary, David Kirkham said of the present situation: "We have more food than clients."

The food bank is currently "supplying food to about fifty people a week", in a town of around 10,000 people.

But demand has been steady, in fact ,rather than falling.

From October 2014 to November 2015, the Food Bank fed 2472 people - an average of 47 people a week.

What has changed is the higher level of donations.

The record high level of stock has been a factor for most of this year, and organisers are wondering why, because they believe there is still a great need for the Food Bank in Ledbury.

Food Bank secretary, David Kirkham said the stock situation revealed the "amazing kindness" of local people, and he added: "It is a good news story, but it would be a better one if more people would come.

"We are still looking for more clients. We have more food than clients. It's been an issue all the year. We are assured there are people out there who need us, but there is a lot of pride that stops people from coming."

Collection trolleys for the Food Bank at Tesco's and the Co-op have been full to the brim and Mr Kirkham said the recent local harvests meant the food bank was "giving away apples like mad".

Harvest time has provided a big boost to donations, in fact.

Former town mayoress, Liz Wreford, said that the level of donations from harvest festivals in particular has been "fantastic".

She said: "Ledbury is a very generous town with great support from the surrounding villages.We have been so fortunate in the past few weeks to receive fantastic

quantities of food and goods of all kinds from Harvest Festival celebrations.

"Fresh fruit, especially apples, and vegetables have been donated by so many groups and individuals."

Many donations are anonymous; but Mrs Wreford stressed the gratitude of the Food Bank, which is based at St Katherine's Hall.

She said: "We do try to acknowledge all the gifts but some are left at Tesco. the Master's House, TSB and churches anonymously so we should like to take this opportunity of

making our appreciation known."

Donations have flooded in from across the generations, and Ledbury children have been giving advice about which foods young people like especially.

Mrs Wreford said: "Several schools have also brought in

amazing amounts of goods and these have have often reflected the children's thoughts about the foods they particularly enjoy."

Ledbury Food Bank is open at St.Katherine's Hall every Wednesday and Friday from 10

am until noon.

Mrs Wreford said: "Whilst vouchers entitle clients to a substantial range of goods, no-one is is sent away without food and is recommended a source of vouchers."