BRANKSOME is set to be the next location in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area to have its own community fridge.

The area follows in the footsteps of Townsend, Boscombe, Poole and West Howe.

Residents who want to limit their food waste can bring undesired and in-date food items for other members of the community to take.

The fridge, which will be located in the Branksome Library on Ashley Road, is due to be open on Friday, December 6 at 12pm.

Councillor Mille Earl, ward councillor for the Newtown and Heatherlands area, said: “The average UK family wastes £810 a year by throwing away food and drink, and £3 billion is wasted by food sectors.

“Community fridges help to tackle food waste by redistributing food from households and businesses to the community.”

The group are looking for more volunteers to help with checking fridge temperatures and clearing out any risky foods, as well as people to transport surplus foods from suppliers to the fridge.

There is also a project manager role available, which will include managing volunteer capacity, surplus food providers and fuel reimbursement.

Millie added: “Following the success of the Townsend community fridge and the Boscombe community fridge, we have set up a project in the Ashley Road area in Poole.

“It’s very simple really.

"We have a team of volunteers on a rota who are notified by apps and phone calls that surplus food is available from local supermarkets and food businesses.

“We go and pick it up and take it back to stock the fridge. People come the next day to take what they need from the fridge.”

To find out more, email branksome.fridge@gmail.com.