A campaign urging residents across Norfolk and Suffolk to donate the 'free' item received in buy-one-get-one-free supermarket deals to a local foodbank has been launched by Rosedale Funeral Home.

Foodbanks provide a lifeline to families in need by providing parcels with three days' worth of food, and in December alone, more than 600 people in east Suffolk received help from a foodbank, 191 of which were children under the age of 16.

The campaign has been set up in support of the East Suffolk Foodbank Charity, which holds regular drop-in sessions at churches and cafes in Beccles, Halesworth and Lowestoft, and donations can be dropped off at Rosedale Funeral Homes in Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Diss, Attleborough and Wymondham.

Simon Becket-Allen, director of Rosedale Funeral Home, said: 'Since we registered Rosedale Funeral Homes as drop off points it has really opened our eyes to the massive need of people right on our own doorstep.

'We appreciate that money is often tight, but we are hoping that people may be generous enough to use their loyalty points to purchase additional items with their shopping or be kind enough to share an item purchased on a buy-one-get-one-free promotion. Many items have already been brought to our funeral homes by extremely generous residents of the towns and surrounding villages and we would like to say a big thank you to all concerned. It really is heart-warming.'

Food parcels are given to families identified as having an immediate need following a referral by care professionals such as doctors, social workers or the Citizens Advice Bureau. They are not intended as a long term solution, but can provide much need relief while people get their lives and finances back on an even keel. At present, items required include UHT or powdered milk, cartons of long life fruit juice, instant mashed potato, sugar, pasta sauces, rice, tinned meat, fruit and vegetables, dog and cat food, nappies, baby food, soap, shampoo, toilet rolls and tin openers. The East Suffolk Foodbank is run in partnership with local churches led by the charity Signpost Gunton.