WIRRAL foodbank is to pilot a scheme which will see "fuel parcels" given out to those most in need.

The scheme has been championed by Birkenhead MP Frank Field who brokered an agreement between the foodbank and nPower.

It is hoped the initiative will help stave off prolonged periods of severe hardship for the town’s poorest residents.

A cross-party inquiry into the rising need for food banks, which Mr Field co-chaired last year, expressed concern too many people face a dilemma between buying food and putting money in their fuel meter as they cannot afford both - and some can afford neither.

nPower has since responded with a new pilot initiative to provide people relying on a prepayment meter and who have had to visit their food bank with a free top-up worth £49 if they have no fuel.

This "fuel parcel" is expected to provide enough gas and electricity to last two weeks, to allow recipients time to get back on their feet.

Wirral foodbank agreed this week to participate in the trial run, which is expected to launch at the end of June.

Mr Field said: "This is such an important breakthrough in the fight back against hunger.

"nPower deserves huge credit for recognising and acting on our concerns about the wicked choice some of our poorest residents face between heating and eating, and the dire straits facing those who can afford neither food nor fuel.

"This single move from nPower could prevent some families from having to go several weeks without buying food or topping up their meter." 

Mr Field said he has also been informed by E.ON that, following his campaign, they will wipe out the premium for fuel paid by households on prepayment meters by equalising prices between direct debit customers and their new wave of "smart" prepayment meters.