SOURDOUGH pizza chain, Franco Manca, has pledged to donate 20,000 pizzas to help those in need this Christmas.

The restaurant brand, which has a branch in Bournemouth town centre, has asked charities, shelters, community groups, and food banks to get in touch and make arrangements for the free food.

Orders can be made to provide anyone “requiring extra sustenance and support” a free lunch or dinner over the festive period. Pizzas will be made available at all of its 42 restaurants from December 1-14.

There’ll be a free collection service for anyone hungry and for emergency service workers who are unable to get away to enjoy a Christmas lunch or dinner.

Charities, foodbanks and shelters are encouraged to contact Franco Manca to arrange a collection by emailingdonations@francomanca.co.uk

This service will also be available to others hard at work on the 25th – such as emergency service workers, who will be dedicating their Christmas day to meeting the needs of others.

Franco Manca’s pledge follows the company’s previous initiatives to help those without food or shelter.

Franco Manca spokesperson, Sandro Spahiu, said: “Charity initiatives such as this one have always been incredibly important to us here at Franco Manca. We always strive to do our bit to give something back, and are so grateful to our wonderful employees across the UK who are always willing to pitch in to make sure as many people in need are helped. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

Collections can be organised by emailing the Franco Manca team at donations@francomanca.co.uk or, to find out more on the initiative, please head to francomanca.co.uk/donations.

Suggestions of suitable organisations the pizzeria can assist are also encouraged, and Echo readers are asked to share their recommendations via the same email address, or on social @francomancapizz.

Franco Manca is at Debenhams in The Square, for more details, visit francomanca.co.uk/restaurants