Twickenham's Real Junk Food Project, which takes surplus food and turns it into healthy meals, has opened a new site in the borough.

The award winning community café has been a huge success in bringing people from across all walks of life together for meals on a 'pay as you feel' basis.

The café and food surplus hub is open three days a week at ETNA Community Centre in East Twickenham.

It operates one day a week outside Noble Green Wines, Hampton Hill. And now it has opened a new takeaway café and food surplus hub at Linden Hall, Hampton.

Linden Hall will offer takeaway soup, coffee, smoothies and pastries every Thursday from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

The philosophy behind the initiative, which relies on more than 60 volunteers, is to provide affordable and healthy food to those subject to food poverty, including the homeless, low income families, the elderly and people on their own.

The initiative is the creation of Crissy Weller and Clare Box, who met at a yoga class on Eel Pie Island and were brought together by a shared vision in creating a community project that reduced food waste. The café first opened its doors at ETNA Community Centre in June 2018.

A team of drivers collect left over food seven days a week from our partners, restaurants, independent retailers and individuals, including allotment surplus.

Key partners include Tesco, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer's, Cavan Bakery, Harris and Hoole, the Co-op and Lidl. Some of the partnerships are brokered through two charities, FareShare and Neighbourly, which allocate food to projects and charities.

The food is used to prepare fresh and healthy meals, and a typical menu will consist of a home-made soup; a choice of main dishes including vegetarian and vegan options; and a dessert.

Coffee, tea, smoothies and a wide choice of cakes and sweet pastries are usually available.