A GAME chef is offering to cook free roast dinners for people finding it tough during the current financial crisis.

Jamie Haselock, who will cater for people in need in the area around his base in the Blackdown Hills, is also appealing for others to join in.

He is ploughing £2,500 of his own money into his 'hug on a plate' initiative launching this month.

Jamie, who is known as Gamey Jamie, previously ran a similar scheme during the height of the Covid lockdown, delivering dinners to care homes Canonsgrove halls, which housed homeless people during the pandemic.

"I'm relaunching now as times are getting tough," he said.

"So many people are feeling the pinch.

"We're here to help. The aim is to give people a sense of wellbeing, to cheer them up, put a smile on their faces.

"I'm fortunate in that I work and I can afford to do this during my spare time.

Jamie aims to cook up and deliver his meals to the needy in the western area of Somerset at locations such as community centres and homeless groups.

He is also appealing for donations and volunteers to ensure more people can enjoy a family-style roast dinner.

"Any donations will help more people who are struggling enjoy a 'hug on a plate', and I'm encouraging other people to cook roasts for those who may need one," added Jamie, who will be running the scheme every Thursday and on some weekends.

"You could cook roast dinners yourself and maybe take them to a local community centre or even for someone living near you or someone struggling out on the street.

"It's a really simple thing to do.

"I would also say to anyone who is finding things hard, 'Don't be shy. If you need a roast dinner, get in touch'."

During the Covid crisis, Jamie's roast dinner initiative was picked up in other areas of the country, with cooks running similar initiatives in places such as Southampton, London and Aberdeen.

He also received donations to help fund his dinners, with one person sending money from as far away as Australia.

If you would like to help or know of a group who could benefit from a free roast dinner, contact Jamie online or on Facebook - search for Gamey Jamie.