Cockermouth families who struggle to afford clothes for their children will be supported by a new initiative which launches today.

They will be able to choose from a huge range of good quality free clothes at the Clothes Pantry which is being run by various town groups.

The scheme is the brainchild of the town's WI, Rotary, Highfield Community Centre and Action for Children.

It will run monthly from the community centre on Highfield Road, where a monthly Food Pantry was set up in December and is proving a huge success.

Up to 70 families each month are supported by the Food Pantry which is provided with food which would otherwise end up in landfill. Recipients are not means tested, they can have two bags of food with a suggested donation of £2 per bag.

The scheme is a joint venture between Highfield, Allerdale Council, Cumbria County Council and Fare Share.

Highfield Community Centre secretary Mary Mitchelhill said: "Ideally it's targeted at those that are struggling but we don't prevent anyone coming in. We are very proud of it and delighted to be able to also offer the Clothes Pantry."

The team behind the clothes venture have been overwhelmed by the support for the scheme and amassed huge amounts of donations.

Brian Mitchelhill, of Cockermouth Rotary Club, said: "We want to help those people in need in the town to clothe their babies and children up to 14 years.

"We have been overwhelmed by the community donations, the quality is absolutely tremendous. We hope we can help some families find clothes that are suitable and fashionable.

"We've been supported by most of the local primary schools, who have collected a very creditable amount of good quality clothing for us to use.

"They will be free to people that require them. People do not need to be shy about coming forward to address their needs, that's what we are there for."

The Clothes Pantry will run from 11am to 1pm today (Friday).

"In the future, we are looking at having school uniforms too," said Brian.

Anyone wanting to donate clothes can do so at the community centre, or Christ Church and All Saints' Church.

Robert Chapman is the chairman of the community association and in no doubt about how important it is to support those in need.

"People do not realise how many people there are in Cockermouth that need our help, especially nowadays with people being badly affected by Universal Credit," he said.

"If they cannot afford food then they can't afford clothes so we are pleased to be stepping in."