A teacher who set up a community pantry has been nominated for the national Teacher of the Year competition.

Natasha Paling, who teaches at Balfour Primary School in Brighton, is known and loved in the school's community for her work to help families in need.

While training as a teacher, Natasha set up The Pantry at the school in Balfour Road to create a safe and non-shameful place where parents can get food, uniform and other essentials for free.

To do this, the primary school teacher raises money through charity fun runs and seeks donations from the community.

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Natasha - who has been nominated by a number of parents - is also said to go the extra mile to help her students.

Parent Louise Batten said: “Natasha is a local legend in our area because she is so active in the local community, such as setting up The Pantry.

"There can be a stigma attached to accessing a food bank, so calling it The Pantry was a considered action by Natasha to make it a place where people can go to get the things they need, from food to uniform.

“There is even an aisle in The Pantry that is like the ‘middle of Lidl’ with a different theme each month, like sports clothes or dressing up.

"It’s a nice place to go and everyone is welcome, it doesn’t have to be because you’re on a low income."

Louise said Natasha communicates well with parents at the school.

She said: “She really understands what it’s like to be a parent, so if your child has had a tricky day, Natasha will often call you and talk it through rather than leaving it to the end of the day when there are lots of other children to get safely home.

"In reception, it’s children’s first experience of school and thanks to Natasha, it’s such a positive one. They all love her."

Another Balfour Primary School parent, Emma McRobb, said: "Not only is she the most wonderful teacher ever, who cares so much about every child and will know the names of all the children in the school, she will also stop and talk to you outside of school.

"Mrs Palin dresses up so amazingly every dress-up day and is just pure joy.

"Mrs Palin is an insanely brilliant person and teacher. Every school needs a Mrs Palin."

People can nominate their favourite teachers in the Teacher of the Year competition,  held by Miconex and sponsored by GiftRound, until August 31.

People can vote for their favourite teacher at teacheroftheyear.co.uk.

The winner, who will be named in September, will win a gift card prize to spend in their community.

Nominations are free and the teacher with the most votes will win.

Balfour Primary School's headteacher Alan Gunn said: "Natasha is an amazing teacher and makes such a positive difference to so many of our families, she always goes the extra mile to ensure our children and families feel supported, listened to and part of our Balfour family."