READERS have reacted with fury over revelations that the launch of Dartmouth's growing foodbank charity operation had to face opponents claiming it would ruin the local tourist trade.

Furious readers from Dartmouth, Devon and Somerset have labelled the critic 'bigots' and 'Nimbys' in comments posted on the Chronicle website following last week's front page story.

Carol, from Dartmouth, said: 'What a bunch of bigots. I think they should be named and shamed. Who are these people?

'The only problem with Dartmouth is having people like this living here,'

'I was born here and have lived here all my life and all the wonderful people I have grown up with are disgusted by the comments of these selfish, narrow-minded people.'

She was joined by Kevin from Plymouth who added: 'NIMBYs. There is real poverty in the south west, which will not be conveniently hidden to appease the rich.'

While Martin, from Somerset, added his comments, saying: 'Those that objected to a foodbank – presumably they don't regard themselves as followers of the Christian faith.

'One would assume (instead) that they are uncharitable, small-minded shopkeepers.'

All three were reacting to foodbank committee chairman David Gent's comments as he outlined the success of the charity operation at last week's annual town meeting.

He revealed that the foodbank is now helping up to 23 people a week who are so badly off that they need support to find food for themselves and their families.

But he revealed that as proposals were being pushed forward to set up the foodbank 18 months ago there was a lot of opposition, which included claims it would harm the town's tourist trade and allow the 'workshy' to spend all their money on booze.

Mr Gent said that since the article had appeared in the Chronicle people had been coming up to him in the streets to pledge their support for the charity.

On Monday, he said: 'Even yesterday someone came up to me in church and gave me £20 for the foodbank.

'Someone else told me what a bunch of idiots people had been and said good luck. All the comments I have had have been very supportive.'

He said the majority of people he had spoken to seemed to regard the critics 'as misguided rather than bigoted'.

He said that the comments criticising the foodbank had 'all come from people who have obviously never experienced poverty themselves.

'One of them has since apologised to me and said I was right and he was wrong.'

But he said comments about 'small-minded shopkeepers' was possibly unjustified.

'I would like to point out that some of our shopkeepers have been very generous to the foodbank without wishing to get any publicity for themselves,' he said.

Mr Gent said that on Monday morning he found seven bags of food, which had been donated to the foodbank, waiting for him at the Guildhall.