A fundraising appeal for Shepton Mallet Salvation Army foodbank is set to smash through its £2,500 target... but still more money is needed to keep up with increasing demand.

The online appeal was launched to buy essential food for vulnerable residents during the coronavirus crisis and beyond.

It has already reached £1,685 thanks to the generosity of the local community.

And, at Thursday night's (April 16) Shepton Mallet Town Council meeting, councillors agreed to boost the coffers with £2,000.

Shepton Mallet Salvation Army Corps Sergeant Major and Foodbank Manager Helen Stevens said: "Demand for our foodbank has seen an unprecedented increase lately; now actually at 1,000 per cent on what we would normally issue.

"The effects of the coronavirus pandemic are going to be around for a while, so we need to continue to appeal for funds.

"We've been really encouraged by the response from the public to our JustGiving page, and by the grants we've received from Shepton Town Council and other organisations too.

"Local supermarkets have also donated stock or discounted our purchases with them.

"All of these things together, mean that we can continue to feed the increasing number of vulnerable people in our community during this time."

The corps is no longer accepting donations of food from the general public and, instead, is inviting financial contributions to the dedicated online JustGiving fundraising page here.

Just £25 will fund a box of essentials for a family of four and £12 will provide a bag of essentials for an individual, although any amount is appreciated.

"Thank you to everyone who's supporting us financially, or in prayer, helping us to keep helping our community," added Corps Sergeant Major Stevens.