MALVERN Hills Foodbank is pleading for donations during the run-up to Christmas, in the face of increasing demands for its services.

The Spring Lane-based foodbank provided 692 three-day emergency food supplies between April 1 and and September 30 this year, compared to 650 in the same period in 2016. Of this number, 242 went to children.

Now the Foodbank is asking the community to help them prepare for their busiest time of year by donating food, including seasonal items, to ensure that people who are hit by a crisis have food ahead of Christmas Day.

Peter Buchanan, who chairs the foodbank trustees, said: “It is really worrying that we are seeing the need for emergency food increase across Malvern Hills district.

"Every week people are referred to us after something unavoidable - like illness, a delayed benefit payment or an unexpected bill - means there’s no money for food.

"It’s only with local people’s help that we’re able to provide vital support when it matters most, and whilst we hope one day there’ll be no need for our work, until that day comes we’ll be working hard to help prevent people going hungry."

The foodbank believes the local increase is due to people struggling with benefit payments, Universal Credit roll-out in the area, low wages and insecure work.

It is also concerned about the future rollout of full Universal Credit in the area, following evidence from other foodbanks about the issues people have with the new system.

In the months leading up to Christmas a number of factors, such as cold weather and high energy bills, mean foodbank sees a spike in foodbank use.

Mr Buchanan said: "Thank you so much to everyone who already donates time, food and money to help local people. If you’re not already involved, we’d love to hear from you.”