BASILDON Borough Twinning Association has decided to collect food items to donate to a local food bank in the Basildon Borough to help bring families some festive cheer.

If you would like to donate – either food or cash, so the association can buy food or items such as Christmas biscuits, chocolates, puddings cakes, crackers etc….

A spokesperson for the association said: "Members would be very grateful. Please only donate dry foods with no short use by dates and also, please only donate Christmas items.

"Bring along your donations to the Twinning meeting at Northlands Park Community Centre on 15 November at 7.30pm or donate cash by the 22 November. For details about how to donate, please email [email protected] . The total raised will be announced at a later date by the Treasurer.

"No Twinning money will be used for this event. Private donations only will be used."