LEIGH Caring Kitchen's trustees have devised a last-gasp rescue plan in a bid to save the homeless support charity from permanent closure.

Health and safety issues and operational difficulties forced the charity based at the former Methodist School on King Street to close its doors on October 12.

The charity has not yet been dissolved and the trustees have less than two weeks to recruit more members, consultants and volunteers and resurrect the service, which fed homeless people on a pay as they felt they could basis.

Trustee Lisa Darlington said: “All the assets remain the property of Leigh Caring Kitchen and there is now a rescue plan we are working on with a view to reopening the doors as soon as possible.

“The Charity Commission says an application for a winding up order would have to be made unless we can find additional trustees and volunteers.

"We have notified the commission of the rescue plan and it will be updated within 14 days.”

The trustees are keen from anyone who is willing to commit some time to help the charity reopen, particularly if they have relevant experience.

People with kitchen management and health and safety procedure experience are needed, as are residents who can help out with paperwork and training volunteers.

Lisa said: “We need people who can help the charity on a permanent basis, but it is important they do have the time to commit, for the first few weeks at least while we try to implement strong new procedures.

“We also need people who can help with stock control for all the food and goods that are donated."

Leigh Caring Kitchen relocated from Leigh Pentecostal Church on Ullswater Street to the the former Methodist School in May.

Lisa added: "I would like to thank our existing volunteers who have worked very hard over the past few months to feed the hungry in Leigh.

"I would also like to point out that the Facebook account for Leigh Caring Kitchen is no longer under the control of the trustees."

Anyone willing to help resurrect the service should e-mail leighcaringkitchen@gmail.com.