WOMEN have come together from the Jewish and Muslim communities to spread the word about foodbanks.

During the inaugural event of Nisa Nashim women received generous donations and heard from foodbank representatives.

The event, held at the Bournemouth Islamic Centre and Central Mosque, aims to bring together women from all backgrounds to celebrate their similarities through a range of shared initiatives.

Co-chair Hafsa Badat said at the event: "Today is the first event of Nisa Nashim's Sadaqa Day - an initiative to do charitable work.

"It is Mitzvah Day in Judaism and the idea is to share our communities and do charity."

Ms Badat said the gathering was a positive sign of community work in the face of last month's act of terror in London.

Attacker Khalid Masood killed four pedestrians and injured around 50 others as he mowed down members of the public with a car on Westminster Bridge on Wednesday.

"In light of recent events it is more important than ever to do this interfaith work and promote an understanding and promote friendships within our communities," Ms Badat added.

Co-chair Lynda Ford-Horne said: "Sadaqa Day comes off the back of Mitzvah Day where we are involved with giving to good causes.

"Sadaqa means charitable in Hebrew and, because we're starting this group, we thought it would be a very good idea because food unites everybody whatever their background."

Gill Payne, of the Poole Foodbank, said: "We're talking about work at the foodbank, what we do and who it's all for."

Her colleague, Jackie Brown, added: "Because there is a national housing crisis there are very often families who are put in bed no breakfasts. Which means their money is spent elsewhere. We will continue to support them because they have to contribute to their housing costs. It exacerbates their financial situation."

Ms Payne said: "We also support families who usually benefit from free school meals during the holidays."

Ed Briggs, from the Bournemouth foodbank, said they are urgently looking for tinned vegetables and fruit, long-life or powdered milk or long-life fruit juice.