THE founder of a food bank started in her kitchen told of her relief after being given a six-month extension on her lease.

Jo Cypher, who runs Oxfordshire West Food Bank, feared it would have to relocate after its lease was going to expire at the end of August.

But during a meeting on Tuesday night, Cottsway Housing Association – which currently houses the food bank at its offices in Witney – has thrown Mrs Cypher a lifeline and extended the lease.

The 42-year-old said: "Cottsway Housing Association have been absolutely fantastic.

"They have supported us so much and we cannot thank them enough, especially for this extension.

"It would be a shame to leave the building because we have built really good relationships with them.

"I am so relieved because I was getting stressed out about having to leave."

The mother-of-four and grandmother-of-one, said the lease had been due to expire on August 26.

Although Mrs Cypher said the housing association "would not have thrown us out by the ear on the 26th", she was concerned about finding a new home in time.

She added: "This extension just gives us that security to find somewhere new to go.

"It is my world, I set it up to make sure other people would not experience what I had to go through a few years ago.

"We have not found anywhere at the moment but we hope that can change because ideally we would like a space where we will be able to grow and expand what we do."

Mrs Cypher said the new site would ideally be in the centre of the town as individuals and organisations collect the majority of food parcels it gives away from the food bank.

In its four years, the food bank has delivered more than 1,000 food parcels.

She added: "We need to have a central location so we are accessible.

"We also would like to be somewhere where we could have 24/7 access to it so we can help as many people as possible.

"We do not want to have to stop what we are doing, we want to get bigger and better.”

The food bank is looking to find a space approximately 25 sqm for shelving and a desk.

Dee Hempstead, a spokeswoman for Cottsway Housing Association, said: "We have provided premises and supported the food bank since November 2014 and continue to do so.

"Volunteers from the food bank want larger premises with improved access.

"They signed a three-month lease in May, knowing that it would expire in late August.

"We have repeatedly extended the lease for the food bank and will do so again."

If you can find the food bank a new home contact Mrs Cypher on: oxwestfoodbank@gmail.com