THE founder of the Black Country Foodbank is leaving the charitable organisation.

Wendy Fryatt started the Christian charity 12 years ago and leaves it providing for 20,000 people across 16 branches in the Black Country including Stourbridge and Dudley.

The Christian organisation is lauded as one of the best charities of its kind in the UK and foodbanks have flourished across the country since it was set up.

Founder Wendy Fryatt wrote to staff at the food bank, which is based in Little Cornbow, on her last day - Friday, January 31.

She said: "It is tinged with sadness that as of January 31, almost twelve years since the date in 2002 when God gave me the vision and task which, I hope, I have carried-out faithfully, I will no longer be with Black Country Foodbank.

"This has been an incredible journey from foundation on my own dining-room table to BCFB becoming a well-respected regional charity with sixteen branches feeding in excess of 20,000 people this past year."

She added: "Together we've fed some 48,000 people, clothed countless and you all know I lost count some time ago of all the sleeping-bags.

"My prayer is that the work of BCFB goes on from strength to strength, that they enjoy their new space at Albion Street, how could God's favour not rest on something so close to his heart - the poor."

However, Mrs Fryatt is not done with helping others and hinted at an international role in the near future.

She said: "I'm already spending time restoring my 25-year-old car and, perhaps more importantly, exploring a role within international disaster relief initially for the Philippines."

Follow Wendy Fryatt on Twitter @wendyfryatt.