CHRISTMAS is a time when many of us like to overindulge.

But behind some closed doors are families which struggle to feed their children all year round, so it simply is not possible for them to lavish expensive gifts and have a blow-out meal.

One woman who knows the struggle all too well is Becca Morgan, who grew up with her two siblings and unemployed single dad.

Mrs Morgan has been delivering food parcels, Christmas trees and decorations to families in need of some festive cheer and her efforts and those of many others should be applauded.

Foodbanks across the region have reported spikes of up to 60 percent in people needing support during the winter months.

They serve as a lifeline for those who have to choose between heating and eating, but the ever-growing need for them shows the problem of food poverty is not one that is easily solved.

THE sudden closure of the food service at Meadowfields extra care home in Thirsk has rightly raised concerns.

Whether it was necessary to take such drastic action that led to elderly and vulnerable people being left ordering takeaways and charity staff and volunteers being left devastated is at best debatable.

The charity that was running the service, Thirsk Community Care, has developed an enviable reputation for its standards and Housing and Care 21 appear to have given its leaders little chance to remedy any issues.

It seems far from certain what has sparked this situation, but what is clear is that there is a duty of care to residents that needs an urgent reassessment.