PEOPLE in need will be able to buy nutritious food from a local shop for just £3 a visit.

The Mill community grocery store, in Bury New Road, will welcome members from March 16, allowing people to pay £5 a year for access to the site.

Kings Church, in Ainsworth Mill, has partnered with Message Trust to launch the project, and hopes to see it help those in need.

Described as a place to "bridge the gap between supermarket and foodbank", each site offers a range of food at a fraction of supermarket prices – often helping to reduce food waste.

Cllr Debbie Newell, who represents the ward, welcomed the news.

She said: "It's just wonderful that an organisation like the Kings Church can do something like this.

"I like the fact people can have autonomy and they can go and make choices rather than have food handed to them which I imagine can feel demeaning.

"Being able to go in and fill your basket might encourage people to reach out – it's empowering to be able to help yourself by finding resources or paying for a scheme like this.

"People don't feel like they're going cap-in-hand like they might if they approached a foodbank, it's great to feed and look after people but how people feel is important too, they're entitled to feel good about themselves.

"Some of the people who could benefit from this would have never dreamed of using these services but the pandemic has just taken all control away from them, so it's great to see something that can bring it back to them."

Members can visit the store up to twice a week, filling up a basket for just £3 each visit.

Shoppers can grab a loaf of bread, five items of fresh produce, and one non-food item, as well as canned, refrigerated, and frozen goods.

During the coronavirus pandemic, people who are shielding can contact the store and arrange for a delivery of essential items.

The site in Bolton will join six other stores across the North of England – with shops in Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, and Sheffield.

This will be the project's fourth store in Greater Manchester, after similar branches opened in Salford, Wigan, and Wythenshaw.

Alongside cheaper food, members are also able to access free courses and support sessions.

Sessions can include cooking lesson, budgeting workshops, and advice on how to manage debt.

The store will be open from 9.30-4.30pm Monday to Friday. Call 01204 232320, visit communitygrocery.org.uk or email hello@communitygrocery.org.uk for more information.