STAFF at a Kidderminster school have been busy delivering food hampers to disadvantaged families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Two staff members at ContinU Plus Academy in Finepoint Way have been out in the school minibus every week since lockdown began, dropping packages filled with essentials and homemade treats to students.

Shortly after the schools closed in March, 18 of the academy's 90 families signed up to receive the hampers, which are in addition to the government's voucher scheme and have been paid for out of school funds.

Minibus driver Emma Baker and senior learning coach Bev Longmore have been shopping for food to fill the hampers every Wednesday, and then out on the roads every Thursday to deliver the packages to homes in Worcester, Bromsgrove, Stourport, Bewdley and Kidderminster.

Headteacher Sara Devo said: "Some of our parents have health difficulties or don't have transport do we decided to offer the hampers as a free service, paid for out of the money we've been saving from school trips.

"The response has been overwhelmingly grateful, it's really humbling

"Emma and Bev have been integral in getting it all started since the get go - the hampers have been different every week and Bev has been baking cakes at home for every family."

Bev added: "Even with a shortage of food supplies, Aldi supermarket in Silverwoods, Kidderminster have been supporting this provision to ensure that the necessary essentials have been available.

"On behalf of the school and families, ContinU Plus would like to thank all the staff and management team at Aldi for their consistent support."

ContinU Plus has remained open during lockdown for vulnerable students and children of key workers, and has also been running an online classroom with resources and lessons youngsters can access from home.

The school, which caters for children unable to attend mainstream education, is set to open to year 10 students on a rota system in June.