A NEW foodbank supporting pet owners through the cost of living crisis is 'ready for whatever the winter months will bring' after an 'impressive' first month.

Post-pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of people who are having to give up their beloved pets as they can no longer afford to look after them.

That is why Mel Oldfield, from Hawarden, set up the P.E.T. (Pets Eat Today) Foodbank in the hope of preventing such situations from unfolding.

The foodbank has now been accepting donations since the beginning of August and officially launched on August 23 from the outbuilding behind the White Bear pub in Mancot.

Mel says the foodbank has managed to collect an 'impressive volume' of items so far and that it is 'ready for whatever winter will bring'.

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Mel, who works as an intensive care sister by day, was inspired further to introduce the foodbank to Deeside after adopting her very own labrador, Ronnie, just last year.

Talking about the first month of operating, she took to the P.E.T. Foodbank Deeside Facebook page to say: "After one month of collecting donations we have a super impressive volume of stock just now and it is still flooding in (and a nice little sum in the bank too). Our little foodbank is filling up and we are ready for whatever this winter will bring.

"I just wanted to take the time to say thank you, a really heartfelt thank you. Thank you for believing in this idea, thank you for following us and thank you for giving so much, particularly those who have given more than once.

"If we can keep this up we will be able to help a lot of people and, hopefully, keep pets where they belong, at home with their owners. Thank you all so much."

The foodbank is now open twice a week between 1-2pm on both Tuesdays and Thursdays.

To contact Mel and the P.E.T. team, you can visit their Facebook page 'P.E.T. Foodbank Deeside or through petfoodbankdeeside@gmail.com or 07944101264.