WHEN teenager Hannah Thompson realised that some West Somerset families would struggle to put food on the table this Christmas, she decided to do something about it.

So the 14-year-old from Wheddon Cross used her talents to record a special CD in aid of the West Somerset Food Cupboard, which provides food parcels for people struggling to make ends meet.

Hannah, an accomplished singer, has won a number of Somerset Fellowship of Drama awards in the last couple of years for her roles in local productions.

A Gift for Christmas - a compilation of 22 songs telling the Christmas story - is her hope of making life easier for dozens of families facing a crisis for one of life's most basic needs.

The CD went on sale across West Somerset this week at £5 a copy and if all 1,000 are snapped up, the charity will receive a financial boost of at least £3,800.

"Local businesses have been incredibly generous and the only unavoidable costs that will have to be covered are for the Performing Rights Society and the duplication of the CD," said Hannah's mother Jill Thompson.

The link with the West Somerset Food Cupboard came about because Jill, who works in the music industry, has known the charity's co-ordinator Christine Payne for more than 20 years.

"Hannah is a very concerned girl, very aware of things like this - she just wanted to do something to help," said Jill.

Retired teacher, local organist and choirmaster Keith Jones accompanied Hannah on the piano for the CD, which was recorded live in an Alcombe church by local sound designer Chaz Hardiman.

Minehead photographer Andrew Priddy took the photo for the CD cover and First Design Print in Porlock created the case information sheet and publicity posters - all free of charge.

"So many people and businesses have given their time and services for free and we are immensely grateful to everyone," said Jill.

Lisa Hardie, who did Hannah's make-up and hair for the photo shoot, said: "People's generosity means that even more money can go to this amazing charity and help to give people a great Christmas."

Hannah, a West Somerset College student, performed all 22 songs in one go, with the numbers ranging from festive favourites Away in a Manger and The Holly and The Ivy to My Favourite Things.

The CD is available at more than 20 local outlets, from Budgens and the Rest and Be Thankful in Wheddon Cross to the Tantivy in Dulverton and Travis Perkins, Andrew Priddy Photography, Toucan and butcher and farm shop Stuart Lowen in Minehead, as well as others.

The West Somerset Food Cupboard was set up in 2007 and in the last six years has handed out more than 2,000 parcels - almost half of those in the last 12 months alone.

Demand is currently at an all time high, with an increasing number of people in work experiencing previously unknown levels of poverty.