Hungry children are 'ripping the bags open to get at the food', says Burnley pastor

Pastor Mick Fleming delivering food to a home in Burnley. (Photo: BBC News)

A pastor in Burnley distributing food to the local community has spoken of "unprecedented and upsetting" levels of need after nearly a year of coronavirus.

Mick Fleming, of Church on the Street, wept as he told the BBC that in some homes he has visited, hungry children have been "ripping the bags open to get at the food".

"It's not all right, that. That's not all right," he said. 

Fleming has been distributing hot meals for poor members of the local community throughout the pandemic. He echoed what many church leaders have been saying - that the crisis is hitting the poorest the hardest. 

"Politicians say it was a leveller, this coronavirus; it's a lie because if you're poor you've got no chance," he said.

The pastor said that some of the people who turn up to the food distribution at night have jobs but still cannot make ends meet. 

"The need's massive, absolutely colossal," he said. 

"The level of need here in Burnley I think is unprecedented and it's upsetting," he added. 

News
JK Rowling says she has a 'God-shaped vacuum' inside her heart
JK Rowling says she has a 'God-shaped vacuum' inside her heart

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has opened up about her religious beliefs and acknowledged that she has a "God-shaped vacuum" in her heart that she could take to the grave.

Opponents of assisted suicide still hopeful it will be rejected by the House of Lords
Opponents of assisted suicide still hopeful it will be rejected by the House of Lords

The government itself is split on the controversial issue.

Anglican Communion entering a 'crucial' period, says Gafcon leader ahead of Nigeria meeting
Anglican Communion entering a 'crucial' period, says Gafcon leader ahead of Nigeria meeting

Orthodox Anglicans are being invited to Abuja in Nigeria for the next Gafcon conference.

Multiple sexual partners a turn off for men and women, study finds
Multiple sexual partners a turn off for men and women, study finds

More important than the raw number of previous partners was the full picture of an individual's sexual history.