The founder of a charity which provides meals to hundreds of people in food poverty has thanked volunteers after receiving a national award. Friends of Di's Kitchen (FODK) based in Wolverhampton was given a King's Award for Voluntary Service,

A Portslade charity has been awarded for its work helping lonely, elderly residents. Time to Talk Befriending, which works in Brighton and Hove, Adur, and Worthing, has been given the King's Award for Voluntary Service,

Three volunteer-led community initiatives in East Lancashire have received an honour for voluntary service. The King's Award for Voluntary Service was given to groups in Padiham, Stacksteads and Bacup.

Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has revealed she struggled with her finances and was forced to use a food bank after leaving the soap. The actress, 60, said it drove her to tears, adding: "It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.

"I sat there and cried and cried. It was shameful. How could I have been on EastEnders? How could I have been earning that much money and now I am here?"

Former EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison has revealed she struggled to pay the bills and needed to visit a food bank after being treated for womb cancer. Fergison, known for playing Heather Trott on the BBC One soap from 2007 until 2012 as well as Celebrity Big Brother and The IT Crowd,