A BABY bank providing vital help to struggling families has secured premises in Romsey town centre.

From Sunday February 28, Baby Necessities Southampton will be based at 4 Market Place where people will be able to drop off donations of specific items.

The project, which is pending charity status, was set up in December last year by mums Hayleigh Jarvis and Lauren Denham who felt there was a need for this kind of service in the local area.

Lauren, 31, said: “One of our partners, RSC Services, suggested they might have a place for us.

“They currently rent the top two floors at 4 Market Place and the first floor was empty so we met with one of their members of staff who showed us around and it just went from there.

“It’s a great space right in the centre of Romsey so we snapped it up.”

The premises will be used for office work and to store donations which can be dropped off every Friday between 10.30am and 1.30pm starting from March 5.

With brick and mortar premises, Lauren hopes it will be easier for the project to take off and develop into a “fully functioning” organisation.

So far it has already helped dozens of families access essential items no-one should go without.

“It’s gone from strength to strength and now that we’re in the town centre it’s really going to help us,” added the mum-of-two.

“We’ve had three referrals today alone so it’s definitely picking up momentum.”

To raise money for office supplies, including laptops and stationary, as well as shelving and hampers to store and quarantine donations in, Lauren and Hayleigh have set up a profile on thegoodexchange.com

To make a donation visit http://bit.ly/2ZVm1oV

Those who benefit from donations are linked to charities or other professional agencies which send a referral to the baby bank.

Referrals can be made via www.babynecessities.co.uk and info@babynecessities.co.uk.