NEW Forest residents are being urged to lend a hand this Christmas to help support families and individuals in food crisis.

Food banks are in need of volunteers to help with Christmas collections at supermarkets, especially in the first weekend of December.

Volunteers may also be needed to pack Christmas hampers, which will go out to local families in crisis.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in the area speak to volunteering ambassadors on Wednesday, December 3, from 10.30am to noon at Ringwood Gateway and on Wednesday, December 10 at Fordingbridge Library from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Alternatively contact Sarah Suddrey, volunteer centre co-ordinator at Community First New Forest, by telephoning 01425 482773 or emailing vol.bureau@ cfnf.org.uk.