A SCHEME to provide free bus trips to people in financial crisis has been hailed as "amazing" by the manager of Worcester Foodbank.

The project, launched by First Worcester buses, will see four Trussell Trust-run foodbanks in Worcester, Malvern, Droitwich and Pershore benefit from free journey vouchers.

The tickets will allow foodbank users and volunteers, to travel to and from centres with food parcels for free.

And the company has also donated dozens of chocolate eggs for foodbank users to enjoy this Easter.

Grahame Lucas, who manages Worcester Foodbank, said: "I think this is amazing. It is going to be a great way in which we can help those that come to us in absolute crisis and do not even have the money for a bus fare.

"It will certainly make it easier for people to be able to go from us back home when they have got the heavy food parcels to carry.

"We get a number of people come to us who are in difficulty, for example we have had people who are not well and young mums, to be carrying a heavy food parcel is not easy.

"The generosity of First buses is very welcome."

Lynne Raymer, from Pershore's foodbank also welcomed the move.

She said: "I think it is innovative and it is part of the holistic approach to helping people."

Cathy Jackson-Read, chair of the Malvern Foodbank, added: "I think it is great.

"We are not in the town centre so some times people have to walk. It will help those people access it more easily."

While many bus services in Droitwich are run by an alternative company, Diamond, David Stanbury - who manages the centre with his wife Mary - still praised the scheme.

He said: "I think it is a tremendous project. I think it is very good."

Emma Schoolar, the Trussell Trust’s West Midlands regional development officer, said: "We’re really pleased to be working with First Worcester.

"We heard recently about a mum who walked six miles to reach one of the foodbanks in our network – if not for the kindness of the volunteers in offering to pay for transport home, she would have faced walking a long way with heavy bags of food.

"For many people in Worcestershire, foodbanks have provided a lifeline, working hard within communities to ensure that local people don’t go hungry – it’s great to have the support of a local bus company to make even more of a difference."

Sarah East, general manager for First Worcester, said: "We are pleased to be involved in providing support to the local foodbank.

"As the main bus operator in the area linking local communities, we are in an ideal situation to provide some assistance. The free travel we are providing will assist in getting volunteers to and from the distribution centres as well as some support being given to guests."

For more information about the foodbanks visit trusselltrust.org