FREE food is being offered to those in need thanks to a new initiative based in Prestonpans.

The Pans Pantry, which is a cupboard stocked with essential foods like pasta sauces and soup, as well as toiletries, has opened at Aldhammer House.

The pantry is in the reception area of the High Street building and anyone who is in need can drop in and help themselves to a couple of items.

All sorts of people can find themselves in a situation where they have no money to buy food.

They may just need a few items to tide them over, rather than a parcel from East Lothian Foodbank, which is based in Tranent.

With the Pans Pantry, a person can choose the food; there is no form to fill in and no referral process.

Any donations of non-perishable foods such as tinned beans, pasta, pasta sauces, tinned pies, tinned soups and toiletry items will be gratefully received.

Peter Dicker, East Lothian Foodbank manager, said: “The Pans Pantry is something new in East Lothian and we’re really pleased it’s up and running.

“To have a cupboard full of essential foods in the heart of Prestonpans, where anyone can pop in and choose what they need, is a brilliant idea.

“The foodbank is lucky to have such great support from local people and we’re happy to use some of our donations to support the Pans Pantry.

“Hopefully we can help set up other similar projects across the county in 2018.”

Aldhammer House is open during office hours but closes for lunch from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

The Pans Pantry is a community initiative formed by the Preston Seton Gosford Area Partnership (PSGAP) with support provided by East Lothian Foodbank and Support from the Start