Hundreds of people in Kendal enjoyed a free lunchtime treat on Wednesday to mark 'World Kindness Day'.

A team based at the Cumberland Building Society's branch on Finkle Street handed out slices of iced ginger shortbread, hoping that recipients would pay it forward and pass on the kindness to others.

Volunteers also handed out 300 of the treats to businesses nearby and gave a further 300 to Waste Into Wellbeing at the Eddington Centre in Highgate.

The initiative was well-received by the public passing the Cumberland's branch.

Ian Clark said: "I love this – paying it forward.

"There's not enough kindness in the world and it makes such a difference.

"It doesn't cost anything to be kind, to hold a door open, smile, just be kind.

"You never know what a difference it's going to make to someone's day if you show some kindness to them."

John Osbourne received a delivery at Harrison Drury Solicitors in Stramongate.

He said: "It's such a mad, busy world these days and, as it gets worse, it's more important to make time for a little kindness whether it's at home, at work or in the street."

The Cumberland was showcasing its Kinder Kind of Kitchen initiative, a project created in partnership with FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria, delivered by the Recycling Lives Charity.

This scheme supports community food projects aimed at addressing food poverty.

In June, the project introduced the 'Kinder Cookbook', a collection of recipes contributed by community food groups.

One featured recipe, iced ginger shortbread, was crafted by the Bendrigg Trust, a charity near Kendal that offers residential activity breaks for disabled and disadvantaged individuals.

Olivia Dewhirst, trainee assistant cluster manager at the Cumberland, said: "It's been rewarding to give something back.

"Giving people a slice of kindness has got them talking, which is good to see and helps with a sense of community."

In its first year, Kinder Kind of Kitchen supported 52 community food groups, providing the equivalent of 577,047 meals.

The initiative redirected 242 tonnes of food that would otherwise have gone to waste, helping to feed people in need.

Over the last two months, demand has continued to rise.

It has distributed 66.8 tonnes of food, serving the equivalent of 151,025 meals.

The programme also distributed 800kg of pet food and 800kg of toiletries to people in need.

The Cumberland donates about 1.5 per cent of its profits to charitable causes and is committing an additional £250,000—on top of last year’s £250,000 pledge—to extend Kinder Kind of Kitchen through 2025, supporting FareShare Cumbria and Lancashire in assisting communities.