A regional daily is hoping to “put a smile on the face” of readers who are struggling to feed themselves this Christmas.

The Shropshire Star has renewed its Feed a Family for Christmas campaign, launched last winter in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Star is urging readers to donate groceries, household essentials and Christmas treats to food banks across Shropshire and Mid Wales.

It comes after Shrewsbury Food Bank Plus, Shropshire’s oldest food bank. revealed it fed a record 239 people in a week earlier this month.

Star editor Martin Wright said: “Thanks to our incredibly generous readers, last year’s Feed a Family campaign helped some of those people most in need at what can be a particularly difficult time of year,” he said.

“The circumstances, including the impact of the pandemic, meant it was more important in ever to help those families struggling to put food on the table.

“This year, as we emerge from the grip of Covid, those same pressures remain. The cost of food is rising and, while Christmas this year should be a chance for us all to get together and celebrate, there will be many who are worrying about how they can make ends meet.

“So once again we are calling on our readers to support our Feed a Family campaign.

“Please give what you can in the knowledge that your support will put a smile on the face of somebody this Christmas.”