A mother says she has been "overwhelmed" by the response of the Watford community as hundreds go out of their way to support the vulnerable in the coronavirus crisis.

Melinda Ward, 41, has been using a Facebook group to keep members updated on the latest government advice, but also as a central point for voluntary work.

Ms Ward, who lives in the Nascot Wood area of Watford, set up 'Watford - COVID19 Support Group' a couple of weeks ago and it has amassed more than 1,200 members.

Every day, members post vital information like supermarket openings, the latest government advice on staying at home, how people can support others, and key information on how to stay afloat financially during the lockdown.

Ms Ward said: "It started as help for the local community but it has become bigger than I expected it too.

"The amount of people offering to help is overwhelming. For example, we had someone with an allergy to certain foods, and people came forward to donate food. around 200 people."

People have also been helping by delivering food supplies.

Explaining why she set up the group in the first place, Ms Ward said: "I saw a need for people to get the information in one place. I was recently made redundant so I had times on my hands. I thought maybe we'd have 40 or 50 people."

One of the group's latest ventures was a donation of pizzas to staff at Watford General Hospital.

Hillingdon Times:

Collecting pizzas from Pizza Express

Pizza Express in Mill Hill had around 70 pizza bases left when the restaurant was told it had to close.

The team at Pizza Express did not want the food to go to waste so they prepared the pizzas.

Mum-of-three Ms Ward later visited the restaurant with some helpers, collected the pizzas, and took them to the hospital.

Hillingdon Times:

Grateful hospital staff receive a huge delivery of pizza

If you are interested in helping out and supporting this group, visit the Facebook page here and request to join or search 'Watford - COVID19 Support Group'