AN £80,000 mobile pantry was officially launched this week to help the Quantock Foodbank reach isolated families in need.

The charity held a ceremony on Watchet Esplanade for Somerset Deputy Lord Lieutenant Jennifer Duke to unveil the van, which was largely funded by local donations.

Pupils from schools in Crowcombe and Stogumber also attended the event to view the zero-emission van, which the foodbank said was ‘a game-changer’ for it in the fight against food poverty.

Foodbank manager Marlene Mason said the vehicle would ensure fresh, nutritious food could be delivered to vulnerable people in local communities.

Ms Mason said it was often difficult for people in isolated areas to come to the charity, especially if they did not have a car, because there were few bus services available.

She said it was also important to the charity for the van to be environmentally friendly as it operated in the Quantock Hills which was now designated as a ‘national landscape’ area.

Those who use the service are referred through professionals such as health visitors, Citizen Advice, or Jobcentres.

The foodbank now hopes to recruit more volunteers to help operate and ensure the smooth running of the mobile pantry, which for its first visit went to Stogursey.

The vehicle is a Ford E-Transit L3 chassis which has been equipped with a custom-built state-of-the-art insulated box body by Paneltex and integrated solar panels.

Anybody interested in volunteering with the charity or who wants more information should contact Ms Mason by emailing [email protected].