BARROW musicians have created a new album to help raise money for the town’s foodbank.

The album, ‘Bags of Love’ features songs from 19 artists and musicians, most of whom are from Barrow.

Bags of Love founder and musician Johnny Swift is behind the album. He said: “This is our third album we have released. I had the initial idea during the first lockdown around 12 months ago, for local musicians including myself as both an outlet for bands and songwriters during the pandemic, but also to help those in need who were struggling to get food during the Covid crisis.”

Johnny said: "Creating the new album was great. There was a real mixture in the way the tracks were produced.

“Many of the artists have written & recorded stuff during the various lockdowns, and others used previous tracks that they had released.

“The support from the local music community has been absolutely amazing. Lots of people I have never met before have been in touch asking to be involved. It has made me realise how much local talent there is in the area.”

Barrow Foodbank located at the Baptist Church on Abbey Road have provided vital services for people struggling throughout the pandemic after they saw a 300% increase in the first lockdown.

Jayne Moorby, Communications Officer for Barrow Foodbank said: “We were hit doubly hard in the pandemic as need for our service increased and we weren’t able to partake in regular fundraising events so Bags of Love has supported us so much.

“The Foodbank received help during the pandemic in the extra community hubs that were set up, but a lot of these are now closing we are sadly seeing increased demand for our services so every penny counts.

“The tracks on the new album are fantastic and it’s amazing that the artists have been able to come together like this as the pandemic has isolated a lot of musicians who are unable to perform live.”

Featured on the album are: Carol Hodge, Big Dwarf, SWERVE & JD, Chris Butler, Olivia Dacre, Denis Horan, Paul Byrne, The Ramsden Squares, The Native Cult, Barry Postlethwaite, Steve Porritt, The Spiratones, Sad-Eyed Puffins, INTI, Ed Cottam, Valparaiso, Mitch Walsh, Jordan Gaffney & Coulton Brothers.

The album costs £7 and can be downloaded via the music streaming service Bandcamp. All proceeds go to Barrow Foodbank.