PEOPLE across the Hambleton district are being urged to join forces with local council staff to collect food and household items to distribute in the area.

The authority is gathering provisions for the Hambleton Foodshare project – which supplies parcels to people in temporary financial need. Since the Northallerton-based initiative started 18 months ago it has given out 1,500 emergency parcels.

Collection boxes are being placed under the festive tree at the Civic Centre in Northallerton and donations can be taken until December 22.

Basic provisions such as cereal, coffee, tea, jam, pasta sauce, instant and tinned meals and desserts, soup, rice, toilet rolls, deodorant, shower gel and shampoo are needed.