STROUD Quakers served a ‘fasting lunch’ around a table laid for a meal in the open air on Stroud High Street yesterday.

Members of Stroud Quakers sat around the set table but went without food or drink for the day.

The action was in solidarity with all who go hungry in the UK, and with the national fast and vigil being held in London at the same time, by Quakers and other Christian groups from around the UK.

Monica Jones, a member of Stroud Quakers, said: “We are fasting through the day just drinking water and for me personally I plan to break my fast at sunset.”

“I sometimes fast and break my fast at six or seven o’clock in the evening so this will be a challenge."

A collection for Stroud Food Bank was at the 'lunch table' welcoming donations from shoppers.

“There is now an enormous demand for food banks in the UK with parents on lower incomes struggling to feed their families,” added Monica.

The aim of the fast was for church communities to speak out against the government's cuts in welfare benefits, and to raise awareness of the vulnerable situation of those on low incomes.