A CHARITY has voiced its concerns that health and safety regulations could prevent them receiving much-needed donations from one of the town’s department stores.

In recent years, Marks and Spencer has generously donated food to the Christmas Care charity on December 24.

But organisers are worried that due to tighter restrictions the store may not be able to give unsold products this festive season.

Chairman of the trustees, Patsy Moloney, said that in the past when Marks and Spencer had closed on Christmas Eve his volunteers were given the excess food not sold that day.

He said he would be very disappointed if the store was unable to help out this year.

“I went to Marks and Spencer about five weeks ago because you have to get in early and there was a mix up last year,” he said.

“For the five years before that they have been helping us out.

“They telephoned me on Wednesday to say that to give us the food they would have to access our building, check the refrigeration and cold room storage and they were afraid that they couldn’t do that. I felt really let down,”

But Marks and Spencer has said it is still happy to support the charity and has promised £50 towards the costs of cooking all the Christmas dinners and suppers over the festive period.

A spokesman said: “Our Swindon store is currently in discussions with Christmas Care regarding potentially donating unsold food items to the charity this Christmas.

“The store will also donate £50 to the charity to help provide temporary shelter for the homeless and lonely people and those in need over the festive period.”

Christmas Care is running the shelter at Queen’s Drive Methodist Church Hall, in Park South. Volunteers welcome the homeless of the town to a festive feast and a chance to come in from the cold from 2pm on Christmas Eve until 11am on Tuesday, December 28.

The charity is still appealing for donations of breakfast foods and other items.

The team will accept donations at the church from 10am until 3pm today, or items can be handed in at the Pilgrim Centre, Regent Street, from 11am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.