THE spirit of the season truly came to Ledbury with a festive bazaar with a difference. Every item was free.

It was organised by the Ledbury Food Bank, not to make money but to "to soften the sting of Christmas" for many local families.

And it was all made possible through the generosity of the local community, both individuals and organisations.

Regular users of Ledbury Food Bank flocked into St Katherine's Hall, to be greeted by the sight of a dozen tables piled high with Christmas goodies – food, games, cuddly toys, children’s books, decorations, and a host of other items.

Food Bank spokesman, Martin Ham said: "Regular users were able to soften the sting of the cost of Christmas by taking bag loads of items. There must be many parents in Ledbury who can now give their children a slightly better-than-expected Christmas."

How did the Food Bank do it when they rely so heavily on the generosity of the public for all that they hand out?

Organiser Tessa Herbert who had worked hard on the upcoming event for weeks said, “It did not cost us a penny! Every item in the hall was given by local people and organisations.

"They all came up trumps yet again. I would like to give a very special thank you to a whole host of Ledbury organisations including Bevisol, the Almshouses residents, the Community Choir, the Children’s Centre, the Town Council, as well as many local shops and residents.

"Between them they have put a bit of an extra shine on Christmas for a whole host of families.”

There are now two food banks operating in the Ledbury area, and long-established one at Ledbury itself and a new one, at Bosbury, which is just beginning to take off.

Mr Ham said: At last we see the people coming in. It is the same tale told by all food banks – pride is a more motivating emotion than hunger."

So many items were given for the Christmas Bazaar, that there were some left over.

Some will go to local children’s organisations and some will go to Bosbury where the new branch operates at the Parish Hall on Wednesday mornings between 9am and 11am.

There is clearly a need for the food banks.

In the autumn, when recent statistics were analysed, Mr Ham reported that there had been a "dramatic rise" in the numbers of people being helped.