BROMSGROVE Sporting Football Club is opening up its Victoria Ground once a week to accept donations to local food banks during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

The Rouslers began the scheme last week and were delighted to receive a number of donations that will be passed on to the most needy families via the food banks.

Donations can be made every Tuesday from 11am-12noon at the Birmingham Road ground and they will be split between food banks run out of Catshill Baptist Church and New Starts, Aston Fields.

Company secretary Phil Baker thanked former district councillor Rory Shannon for a large donation of surplus food and drink that he collected from Birmingham University students before the institution was shut down in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Baker said the scheme had been set up to help the local community, adding: "Local food banks are reporting an increased demand but dwindling supplies.

"Now that schools are closed and a number of people will be on reduced or even zero income, demand is bound to increase."

He also assured potential food donors that guidelines on social distancing would be met.

"Somebody will be there at the ground but to keep a safe distance we will have a trolley available so all that needs to be done is drop any donations in there," he added.

The club is seeking donations of long life food, nothing fresh, so staples like tea, coffee, tins, rice, cereal, pasta, custard, biscuits and tinned food would be particularly useful.

Toiletries such as toilet roll, soap, toothpaste, washing-up liquid, nappies and ladies' sanitary items are welcomed as are snacks like puddings, cake, chocolate, sweets, crisps and biscuits.