A foodbank service has been launched to provide emergency food parcels for people in need.

Ivybridge Foodbank was launched at the Methodist Church with special guests including local MP Gary Streeter, foodbank volunteers and local councillors.

Food parcels have been put together following nutritional guidelines from Salisbury-based charity, The Trussell Trust and the launch saw examples of typical food parcels the foodbank provides.

The party was also shown a video which highlighted the positive impact the work of food banks has on the people they help.

Gary Streeter said there will, regrettably, always be times when people and families suffer a bad blow or unforeseen change in circumstance.

But it was 'wonderful that charities and volunteer workers are meeting their needs dynamically'.

He said: 'I am full of admiration for the trustees and volunteers who are engaging with the local community to help those in need.

'I wish Ivybridge food bank every success.'

Deputy mayor of Ivybridge, Cllr Chris Childs, added: 'The compassion and commitment of the people involved in Ivybridge Foodbank is wonderful to see.'

The foodbank is run entirely by volunteers and is set to cover Ivybridge, Yealmpton, Bittaford, Modbury, Ermington, Cornwood, Brixton, Ugborough, Sparkwell, Shaugh Prior, Lee Moor and Wotter.

It will provide a minimum of three days' emergency food and support to people struggling to afford food.

Trussell Trust executive chairman Chris Mould said that the need for foodbanks was increasing in the current economic climate.

He was delighted Ivybridge was helping out.

'The sheer volume of people who are turning to foodbanks because they can't afford food is a wake-up call to the nation that we cannot ignore the hunger on our doorstep,' he said.

'Politicians across the spectrum urgently need to recognise the real extent of UK food poverty and create fresh policies that better address its underlying causes.

'Since April 1 we have already seen increasing numbers of people in crisis being sent to foodbanks with nowhere else to go.

'We are so pleased that volunteers have come forward to help people in and around Ivybridge.'