Poverty-stricken families living on a Whitehaven estate will no longer go hungry thanks to a new scheme.
Top of the Shops cafe in Mirehouse is offering free soup to anyone who may be forced to skip meals due to financial difficulties.
Carl Walmsley, who represents Mirehouse on Whitehaven Town Council, donated £400 of his ward allowance towards the cause, after hearing "devastating" stories of families on the estate.
He said: "People are being forced to choose between heating and eating or literally starving themselves to make sure their kids are eating plenty. Something had to be done.
"Thanks to our cafe and the amazing Claire Mattinson and Linda Sim, myself and the town council have joined forces and with funding in place, we will make sure there is soup available on the estate for anybody who may need it.
"Quite simply pop in and ask for some soup off the specials board and feel free to take away or sit in and make friends. There will be no questions asked."
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