Susan Walton, of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, writes:

I think I've missed an episode here!

Dartmouth has a foodbank and people are worried about its impact on tourism?

Please tell me I've misunderstood, or perhaps the objectors are under the impression that there will be queues of scruffy down-and-outs shuffling along the streets saying 'gizza hand-out'.

Speaking as a foodbank volunteer here in sunny Gateshead, and as a tourist who holidays in the South Hams on a regular basis, I can assure any 'Disgusteds of Dartmouth' that there will be nothing on view to upset their, or the tourists', delicate sensibilities.

This is the 21st century and the UK is supposed to be a first world country.

Despite this, there are still people falling through the cracks in the welfare state, even, maybe especially, in glorious Devon.

Usually through no fault of their own, there are single folk, families and old people who suddenly discover that there is far too much month left at the end of the money, no matter how hard they try to stretch it. This can happen to any one of us in these uncertain financial times.

No one wants to have to ask for a box with three days' supply of food in it, but thank goodness there are some non-judgmental folk who are prepared to quietly help out.

Hopefully, there will be a foodbank collection at a supermarket near you very shortly.

You may be asked to buy one thing from a suggested list of groceries to be put into the local warehouse for distribution to a local person.

Please can I ask you to put aside your fears – of what, I'm not sure – and help out.

As the slogan used to say – 'it could be you!'