A foodbank has issued an urgent appeal for donations after seeing a rise in users.

Braintree Area Foodbank has fed more than 700 people, including 228 children, since April - up from 441 on 2017 and an increase of more than 50 per cent.

Maggie Drewett, administrator for Braintree Area Foodbank, said: "We have not seen this level of demand for many years and it seems to be a worrying trend.

"This is very concerning as the demand will only further increase throughout the year.

"This is why we are inviting people within the Braintree district to participate in this urgent Foodbank appeal to ensure we can continue to help food poverty."

Donations are need of items like litre cartons of long life milk and juice, instant mash potatoes, toilet rolls, 500g bags of sugar, tinned vegetables and toiletries.

To see the full shopping list, or find out where to donate, visit www.braintreeareafoodbank.org.uk.