A SECOND ‘warm bank’ will be opening ahead of winter to help people stay safe and warm during the cost of living crisis.

Verwood's warm bank will be opening on Wednesday, October 12 and will continue to help provide a shelter until further notice at the council offices in the town.

A warm bank is a safe place for people to go and stay warm free of charge. 

Read more: First 'warm bank' is set up in BCP to help with the cost of living

Verwood Town Council offices are the second venue to open as a warm bank after Rossmore Leisure Centre in Parkstone, Poole.

Simon Gibson, Mayor of Verwood believes the opening of warm banks this winter is "important" but has said it is a "shame they are needed at all."

Simon Gibson, Mayor of Verwood said: "It's going to be a difficult winter for lots of people so I think a lot of people may well choose to use it. It's important people know that it is there, so they know there are options there as we head into the colder part of the year.

"These are important things this winter, and whilst it is a shame they are needed at all, I think it’s good to see the kindness of the community and the councils and everyone coming together to provide something for people to have a warm space.

Read more: More warm banks being set-up in BCP

"The warm bank is only going to open one day a week to start with because other places in the town are planning to open their doors, so we are going to coordinate the days so that there is coverage across the town across the week.

"We are running it as a trial to see what the demand is like and to also see what people want out of it.

"The initiative came from the staff who run the town council offices, it's lovely to see that they are making sure the building is used for what the community need most.

"Our instinct is to try and help where we can."