CRISIS-hit families who have to choose between eating and paying bills will be helped by a new community initiative planned for Chep­stow.

Churches Together in Chepstow are planning to open a foodbank which will provide families in crisis with three days' worth of nutritious food..

At a meeting held at St Mary's Church in the town centre it was agreed to push ahead with the initiative.

Pastor Jim Davies, the associate vicar at St Christopher's in Bulwark, is behind the idea and set up the meeting between church and community groups and Foodbank development manager for Wales Adrian Curtis..

Pastor Davies said: "I was on holiday in Plymouth and I met the lady who ran the Foodbank and I thought it was something which would be of benefit in Chepstow..

"The churches in Chepstow are very supportive of the idea and the town council has said there would be space in the basement of the Gatehouse to store food.".

Chepstow Lions operate a Christmas food parcel scheme which is well-supported and much needed, Mr David Flint from the group told the meeting.

He said: "A few years ago we had a case of a lady from Bulwark whose house burned down just before Christmas..

"She was absolutely desperate and was very grateful for the help we were able to give.".

The first Foodbank was set up in Salisbury in 2001 and there are now more than 170 around the UK, said Mr Curtis of the Christian charity the Trussell Trust.

He said: "Many of the people we help have had problems with benefits but many families are only a pay cheque away from crisis..

"For many families a large bill such as a boiler repair can mean either paying the bill or putting food on the table.".

A meeting will be held to set up a steering group to push forward the initiative.