FIFTY ‘warm boxes’ will be given to vulnerable people in Peeblesshire to help them through the winter amid high household bills.

The initiative will see residents handed heated throws, fleece blankets and hot water bottles to battle the cold.

Peeblesshire Foodbank’s project was wholeheartedly backed at a meeting of the council’s Executive Committee on Tuesday (November 12).

The vital facility was successful in its bid for £3,100 from the Tweeddale Welfare Trust.

Tweeddale East councillor Julie Pirone said: “We’re all in agreement that the food bank gets this money.

“It’s a really important project given that some people have had their winter fuel payment cut and some of the work that the food bank will be doing over the winter will be helping people get through that.”

Fellow ward representative Marshall Douglas added: “I think all of the Tweeddale councillors are fully behind this. I think it’s absolutely essential.”

After successfully supporting 40 households in the project’s first year last winter, the food bank is now looking to support a further 50 this year.

The households that will benefit are those already accessing the support of the facility and who have been highlighted as the most in need of support.

Priority will be given to those with health issues, who have children and young families and who are elderly.

Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Committee agreed to rubber-stamp the funding.

A report with the application stated: “Being cold is miserable and demoralising and it is hoped that the boxes will make getting through the cold winter a bit more bearable.

“The food bank has noted an increase in the amount of support required to households containing older people in particular as the winter fuel payment is set to be removed for pensioners.

“Due to this and fuel costs remaining high they are anticipating a greater need for support with warmth over the coming months.”

The boxes will also contain items such as scarves, gloves, flasks and hot chocolate.

They will be delivered to clients to save them having to travel to collect them.