VITAL anti-poverty charities have been given a huge boost ahead of the winter thanks to generous donations to the Yorkshire Harvest appeal.

Charity workers have now taken delivery of hundreds of pounds of food to help keep their shelves stocked throughout the coming months.

The food has been distributed between various local projects such as food banks and homelessness centres.

The Yorkshire Harvest campaign was launched in September by media outlets including The Press and local councils, with drop-off points set up around the region.

Media offices, York's children's centres and some swimming pools received donations, and staff at several local employers also contributed, including East Coast, Fera, Sainsbury's at Monks Cross and York St John University.

Nicky Gladstone, project manager at Carecent, which provides breakfasts for homeless and vulnerable people in York, said: "We are tremendously grateful to everyone who has provided food. It will fill up our store room again and enable us to carry on helping vulnerable people."

Laura Hagues, manager of York Foodbank, said: "It is very much appreciated and this will keep us going until after Christmas - so thank you everyone!"

John Madden, City of York Council's principal strategy and policy officer for people and neighbourhoods, said: "We are very grateful to everyone who has made a contribution and to the organisations who took part. The volume of food collected reflects well on the generosity of York residents.

"We are extremely pleased to have been able to play an active part in the Harvest. All contributions, large and small, are greatly appreciated by the charities and of course ultimately by those residents of the city who need their help."

Steve Hughes, managing editor of The Press, said: "We were delighted to support the Yorkshire Harvest appeal and thank our readers who helped contribute to such an impressive collection.

"We know through our Stamp Out Poverty campaign how valued these donations will be by the charities working on the front-line, and by the people they are working with."