The number of emergency food parcels handed out by the district's foodbank has shot up 40 per cent in a year.

Between April 1 and September 30 Epping Forest Foodbank provided 554 three day emergency food supplies, significantly more than the same period in 2017.

Just shy of half of the parcels went to children.

As Christmas and the roll-out of Universal Credit in the area on December 5 approaches, foodbank manager Heather Scholer has warned demand is likely to increase further.

She said: “The 40 per cent increase in emergency food provided from the same period last year shows that more people are struggling to make ends meet. "It’s not right that anyone in the Epping Forest area has no other option but to turn to our foodbank.

"We want to see an end to local people needing emergency food, having a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis.

"We want everyone to know that this service is provided in Epping Forest for short term help when faced with crisis but there needs to be some long-term change because we don’t want to be here forever.”

The foodbank is particularly in need of toilet tolls, coffee and sponge pudding and has launched its Christmas appeal running up to December 7.

More details can be found at www.eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk/2018/10/31/christmas-appeal