County charity East Lothian Roots and Fruits (ELRF) has celebrated 25 years of supporting the community.

The charity was originally based in Prestonpans, working out of a warehouse at the industrial units on Mid Road.

Started with the intention of tackling poverty, encouraging a healthy diet and giving people in East Lothian access to fresh and healthy food, ELRF has grown substantially in the 25 years it has been operating.

Offering weekly food and vegetable deliveries, and running health promotion sessions, the charity’s biggest development came five years ago, when it moved from its Prestonpans base to a hub in Elphinstone, where it now runs a shop and has recently opened a summerhouse.

ELRF now hosts a lunch club and acts as a hub for locals to meet; it is also in the process of planting raised flower beds in its community garden.

Since opening, the charity has helped thousands of families across the county.

The charity, which operates with five members of staff and 15 volunteers, celebrated its anniversary last month at its premises, along with friends and organisations that have helped the group.

Pamela McKinlay, ELRF project manager, has been with the charity since it started and said she was delighted to reach the milestone.

She said: “It doesn’t quite feel like 25 years! We have had so many ups and downs but we got there in the end.

“Over the years, we have had so much success, worked with and met so many wonderful people along the way.

“The celebrations were great. We had over 80 people turn up, all of whom were people or organisations we work with, including Headway, Fa’side Community Kitchen, Our Community Kitchen, Elphinstone Nursery and Primary School, Rotary Club of Tranent, East Lothian Council and many individuals from the community.

“We had a great day. Thank you to everyone who came along and helped us celebrate.

“You are all a great support to us and we wouldn’t be here, celebrating 25 years, without you all.”

Pamela said she was delighted with how far the charity had come in 25 years and was focusing on how the charity could continue to benefit the county.

She said: “I think we are now settled in Elphinstone and look forward to developing our project to meet the needs of the people in East Lothian.”