EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison now works at food bank after quitting soap

Cheryl Fergison found fame playing Heather Trott in the BBC soap

The actress left EastEnders in 2012 and has since retrained as a counsellor

Former EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison has revealed she now works at a food bank after quitting the soap.

The 57-year-old, who played Heather Trott in the BBC soap, left Albert Square in 2012 and has since retrained as a counsellor.

Cheryl said she decided to volunteer at the food bank after seeing the impact the cost of living crisis is having on people.

"I've seen people coming in here who are really struggling," she said. "Some of them are working but they're still not earning enough to make ends meet.

"It's heartbreaking to see, but I'm glad I can be here to help them."

Cheryl said she is also using her experience as a counsellor to support people who are struggling with the emotional impact of the cost of living crisis.

"A lot of people are feeling anxious and depressed because they're worried about how they're going to pay their bills and feed their families," she said.

"I'm here to listen to them and offer them support."

Cheryl is not the only former EastEnders star to have spoken out about the cost of living crisis.

Last month, Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler in the soap, said she was "horrified" by the number of people who are struggling to make ends meet.

"I've spoken to people who are having to choose between heating their homes and feeding their children," she said.

"It's a disgrace that people are having to live like this in one of the richest countries in the world.

"We need to do something to help these people."