NORTH Somerset Council has said that it will continue to provide direct funding to support local foodbanks amid "concerning" new figures.

New statistics show that more food parcels were handed out in North Somerset between April and September than in any summer since at least 2018.

Figures from the Trussell Trust charity, which helps run 1,500 food banks across the UK, show 7,111 emergency food parcels were handed out between April and September across eight food banks in North Somerset.

This is a rise from 6,972 during the same period a year before – and the highest figure since local figures were first made available in 2018.

The trust's figures show 2,843 of this summer's food parcels in North Somerset were for children.

A North Somerset Council spokesperson said: "Foodbanks in the area are seeing an 8-10 per cent increase in the number of people needing food support. This is on top of the 44 per cent increase in demand last year.

"North Somerset Council continues to provide direct funding to help support foodbanks as well as supports activities such as cooking courses. We’re working hard with our partners, including the Food Alliance, as part of ‘North Somerset Together’ to address this concerning trend.

"If you need food support, a list of foodbanks, community larders, lunch clubs and pantries (that we’re aware of) are all listed on our website www.n-somerset.gov.uk/foodsupport.

“Financial help is also available via North Somerset Council’s Welfare Provision Scheme and the Household Support Fund if you’re struggling to afford food, clothing and energy bills.

"There are also over 40 community living rooms open across North Somerset where you can meet with other members of the community, get help and advice and keep warm this winter. Some also provide food and refreshments.

"View our cost of living pages at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/col for more information.”

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: "An increasing number of children are growing up in families facing hunger, forced to turn to food banks to survive.

"A generation is growing up believing that it’s normal to see a food bank in every community. This is not right.

"People in work, as well as people who cannot work, are increasingly being pushed into debt and forced to turn to a food bank to survive."