Resort’s food bank benefits from wood giveaway after trees are felled for the East Cliff stabilisation scheme

GENEROUS Lyme Regis residents donated £136 to the local food bank when they collected wood from the town council.

Dozens of cars queued up at Strawberry Field on Saturday morning – so many at one stage they sparked police concerns - to pick up logs distributed by the town council.

Operations manager Elliott Herbert said: “We expected our offer of free wood to be popular, but we were surprised at just how many people turned up on the morning.

“Each car went away with two wheelbarrows of wood and all the supplies were gone within half an hour of opening the gates.”

There was no charge for the wood, but residents were encouraged to give a donation to the mayor’s charity, Lyme Regis Foodbank.

An impressive £136.91 was contributed, as well as a bag of non-perishable food.

Lyme Regis Mayor, Cllr Sally Holman said: “I am delighted that we will be able to hand over these generous donations to Lyme Regis Foodbank.

“It is a very worthy cause and deserves local support, especially at Christmas.

“Thank you to the external works team for preparing the wood and I want to commend them on the organisation of Saturday morning.”

Audrey Vivian, chairman of Lyme Regis Foodbank, said: “The Lyme Regis Foodbank is an initiative set up by the church, and Lyme Forward to help those in our town who are in food poverty. It is run by volunteers.

“We are delighted with the generosity of local people and the continuing support we are getting. Thank you to everyone.”

The wood came from trees on the East Cliff, which were cut down for the Phase IV coastal protection scheme, and given to the town council by contractors Dean and Dyball.