One thousand meals have been delivered to vulnerable people during the coronavirus lockdown by staff and volunteers of Swindon Borough Council.

Box 1,000 was hand-packed by hand-packed by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who put the finishing touches to it when she visited Euclid Street earlier in the week.

The box was delivered to 75-year old John’s Drew in Blunsdon by council worker Lisa East and Swindon Town representative Mitch Coombes.

John said: “I feel like I’ve won something! This food delivery service has been incredible. It has made my life a lot easier because I am really concerned about going out. I can’t thank people enough for what they’ve done – thank you very much indeed.”

When he was first told that the box had been packed by a member of the royal family, John said: “I didn’t believe it. But it was so lovely to receive the box, and everything in it looks very nice indeed.”

The food boxes contain everything from basic fruit and vegetable packages to more substantial amounts of meat and fish, with vegetarian options available.

Volunteers have also been delivering medicine and prescriptions to people who need them and who can’t get to the pharmacy.