A WINCHESTER charity helping vulnerable families has welcomed new trustees to its board.

Friends of the Family has welcomed Nicky Bryant and Locket Ward to its Board of Trustees.

The charity, which was established in 1993, has assisted more than 200 families since it began.

Nicky Bryant originally joined the charity as a volunteer befriender and spent 18 months providing support and friendship to a local family.

The mother-of-four, who lives just outside the village of Upham, was asked to join the board because of her voluntary and fundraising experience.

She said: “Now that my children are no longer little, I have time on my hands to help. When Friends of the Family asked me to become a Trustee, I immediately said yes because it is a fantastic charity.”

Locket Ward has two children, aged 18 and 21, and has a small farm in Owslebury where she has lived for the past 11 years.

With a background in publishing, she is looking forward to bringing her skills to the charity and getting more involved.

“I am so impressed by the work of Friends of the Family and hope I can make a difference,” she said.