Biddulph Town Council is working to support people affected by the increased cost of living whilst also tackling social isolation in the area,

It has established a new group called 'Biddulph Working Together' to ensure people are fed and warm over winter.

The council has looked at what help is already available in the town, and added to this where necessary to ensure there is always somewhere in Biddulph for people to go to keep warm and receive a hot meal.

The scheme covers seven days a week – and the council says it goes beyond offering just a sandwich and a cup of tea, promising there will always be a hot meal and a warm welcome on offer.

The scheme will be in place until March, to ensure coverage throughout the whole winter period.

Speaking about the initiative, Cllr Jill Salt said there will always be somewhere for people to go if they need help.

She said: "We've worked with all the church groups in Biddulph and charities like The Green Tree House and Biddulph Youth and Community Zone.

"We've managed to produce a timetable that ensures every single day there's somewhere warm to go for free food."

She said it was important to the council that the places opening their doors for the initiative are already open, and they're not opening solely for the project – recognising that voluntary organisations also face increased energy costs.

"Basically the buildings would already be open anyway – and we're asking them what funds they require in addition to provide hot food."

The town council is funding the cost of providing the food, and is hoping to receive a grant from the Co-op to cover this.

If they're unsuccessful, the council has agreed to dip into emergency reserves to cover the cost itself.

It's hoping for £12,000 from the Co-op, but has pledged £10,000 from its reserves as a back up if it doesn't get the grant.

Cllr Salt is now calling on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) to allocated some of its £600,000 reserves set aside to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic to help Biddulph Working Together.

She said: "What we're putting together is the bare minimum.

"It's really important that SMDC realise that – and we could do so much more, in terms of giving away food and stuff like that.

"What we've committed to do is get people through the winter."