WITH just weeks to go before Devizes Foodbank faced closure, a new home has been found for the charity that helps hundreds of needy people.

It is to move to a building at Devizes Hospital after the Great Western Hospitals Foundation Trust, which owns the site, offered to house it on a temporary basis.

Devizes MP Claire Perry, who had backed a move to the hospital, said: "I am so delighted. The foodbank does a fantastic job and it would have been terrible if it had to close.

"I am so glad this temporary measure has been found but now we must keep looking for a permanent home."

Devizes Hospital is likely to close in the near future once an Urgent Care Centre is built at Marshall Road, Devizes. Money from the sale of the hospital will help to pay for the new centre.

Foodbank co-ordinator Alan Beamish was hugely relieved that a new base had been found before the deadline for moving from Gaiger Bros former yard in Northgate Street arrived.

He said: "I was beginning to think we were not going to find anywhere to go which would have been a disaster. But I want to thank Claire Perry for her help in getting the hospital site and everyone else who has backed us, including the Gazette."

He also thanked Gaigers for allowing the foodbank to use a store room free of charge for eight years. The building firm has moved to new premises in the town and is to develop its former offices and yard.

Town councillor Andy Johnson, whose son Seijin, 26, is one of a number of disabled volunteers at the foodbank, first came up with the idea of contacting the hospital trust but did not receive a reply.

He said: "I think it's wonderful that after a real struggle, and hard work by a number of us, that some of the unused space within the old Devizes hospital will be put to a really worthwhile use. It really is something to celebrate.

"I didn't get an answer to my letter but thankfully Claire Perry got involved and that moved things forward."

Foodbank chairman Peter Brearley spelt out the importance of the charity during the hunt for premises. He said: "Last year we helped 1,264 adults and 642 children. We often hear stories of mothers missing meals so their children can be fed."

Ms Perry has visited the foodbank, which also serves Marlborough and Pewsey, and was impressed.

She said: "I saw first hand the effort and dedication that goes in to running this valuable service."