VOLUNTEERS who dish up free meals made out of left-over food to the poor and lonely have scooped a national award.

Clacton's FoodCycle team received the Friendly Faces Award at the charity's conference in London at the weekend.

They cook tasty three-course meals from surplus food donated by Sainsbury and local markets for people living in food poverty and the lonely.

Meals are served every Monday lunch-time at Trinity Methodist Church.

There are 33 FoodCycle projects across the UK.

The Clacton team won their award for outstanding care and support for the people who attend the meals.

FoodCycle's Alex Collis said: “You can see straight away how much the project leaders and volunteers at Clacton care about their guests.

"Everyone is greeted by name and made to feel welcome the minute they set foot through the door. That means a lot to guests who often don't have that in their lives.”

Volunteers and diners all sit down together to eat.

The scheme prevents food going to waste and helps people make new friends.

The charity is currently looking for a volunteer food leader in Clacton. Email clacton@foodcycle.org.uk for details.