FOOD banks are set to expand across Bolton to help the growing number of families going hungry.

The next help point for residents in crisis will open at Cleggs Lane Church in Little Hulton at the end of April.

The outlet, which will also serve Walkden, will be run by the same people behind the Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank, which opened last November, and will use the same warehouse at the Well Baptist Church base.

Volunteers at the Farnworth food bank are hoping to open more food collection points to make the service more accessible.

During February the bank gave out 1,142kg of rations, and on a busy day can feed up to eight families. Community development worker Pat Culpan, from the Farnworth and Worsley Methodist Circuit, is now recruiting more volunteers to help at the new Cleggs Lane outlet.

Ms Culpan said: “The church is in the middle of four social housing estates and we think there is a real need for a food collection point in that area.

“It only takes one big bill to come along and people are struggling to put food on the table.

“A lot are turning to loan sharks which has greater repercussions.”

Like the Farnworth food bank, the new branch is part of the Trussel Trust — a franchise for food banks across the UK.

Organisers plan to open the next branch in Prestolee.

Another separate food bank delivery service called Storehouse is run by Urban Outreach, a charity based in Bolton town centre.

The new Little Hulton food bank will operate from the church’s cafe and will also harvest fresh food from an allotment.

Ms Culpan said she wanted the food bank to be as welcoming as possible because some people may feel awkward about coming forward.

The Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank was opened in response to poverty figures released last year.

The service operates on a referral basis and clients are given vouchers from agencies such as parent groups and charities in the area.

For more information, call 01204 861671 or go to farn worthkearsley.foodbank.org.u.