Hundreds of copies of a weekly newspaper have been packed in Christmas hampers for families struggling to make ends meet.

The Sheerness Times Guardian, which serves the Isle of Sheppey, is being distributed along with food parcels in a three-week festive giveaway.

The Iliffe Media-owned title delivered 500 copies to seven organisations so they could include them in their festive hampers.

Other regional newspapers including the Yorkshire Post, Dundee daily The Courier and Aberdeen’s Press & Journal have undertaken similar initiatives in recent weeks.

Volunteers on Sheppey with copies of the Times Guardian

Denise Eaton, who edits the Times Guardian, told HTFP: “We understand hard-pressed families may have other spending priorities at the moment but we didn’t want them to miss out on what we believe is an important connector at any time of the year – the bond of community news, entertainment and information which help establish a feeling of togetherness.”

Among those taking part were the Sheerness Food Bank, Care 4 Christmas on Sheppey, Oasis Isle of Sheppey Academy, Curly’s Farm at Bay View; Seashells Children’s Centre and Queenborough Food Bank.

Carol Wraight, one of the organisers behind Care 4 Christmas on Sheppey, said: “This is a lovely idea.”