The numbers attending a baby bank providing free clothing for families in need have more than doubled in the three months it has been opened.

The brain child of doctor Gervase Vernon, parents and carers can pick up free children’s clothing as well as bedding and other items that has been donated by parents who no longer have a need.

And aimed primarily at parents who often cannot afford new clothing, the scheme is also attracting people who want to improve clothing recycling.

Figures have increased from about 25 in September, 15 of whom where drop-ins, to almost 60 in November – when there were 50 drop-ins.

Vicky Stewart, 24, from Braintree, whose daughters are aged two and one, said: “I come down quite a lot to the play group for my daughters.

“And now every time this is on I come in. They are nice and friendly.

“Sometimes I can’t afford stuff for my kids. My husband works full time so we are not entitled to any help. All our money goes on bills.

“We are on council housing but it is still lot of money and half goes on that rent. And we have one on the way as well.

“But I donate a lot as well. It’s been a huge help. We got a Moses basket from here. We don’t need to worry about it because we can just come down here.”

Parents can visit at the Carousel Family Hub on Chapel Hill, Braintree, on the first and third Thursday of the month between 9.30 and 11.30am when Baby Stuff Braintree – the charity that runs the baby bank – can provide them with clothing and other essential parenting or domestic items.

The sessions coincide with a stay and play run in the same building jointly by Virgin Care and Barnado’s.

Volunteers from Baby Stuff Braintree also work with health visitors and healthy family support workers from Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service to provide clothing and domestic items to families who are unable to attend the Thursday sessions at the Family Hub.

Lisa Crow, who has children aged six and two, said: “I have been bringing my son to stay and play for years – then they started with baby stuff and it’s always handy to be able to pick up bits and bobs.

“For me it’s recycling. We bring stuff when we’re done with it but pick up stuff we need. We’re not particularly hard up but I just want to recycle.”

And Rebecca Jones, 34, who has two children, aged six and two, said: “It does feel good not throwing things away and not buying new.”

Dr Vernon, a retired Dunmow GP, said: “As a GP you see lots of people and once I’d retired I did some locum in Braintree so I knew there is plenty of need.”

He said he may look to open one in Maldon at some point in the future.

Kim Griffiths, a volunteer, said: “I think people are surprised that there is a need.

“Part of it is unless you know that there is something like this available you don’t ask about it. Without it I don’t know.

“If you have a choice about what to spend your money on – I suppose food is the first thing.

“It’s quite difficult to look at someone and say if they need it or not so we don’t.”

Volunteers want to dramatically increase their reach and believe many more parents can be helped through social care workers, health visitors and family support workers taking ready-made bags of items to parents who might find it hard to access the centre.

The scheme is looking specially for more older children’s items, as well as new underwear and pyjamas that they don’t often get.

They are hoping the scheme will now spread even further and more people can feel comfortable using it.

One message on Twitter to the group said: “I visited on Thursday for the opening of Baby Stuff Braintree and I wanted to tell you how fantastic I found not only the concept but the volunteers.

“I really felt compelled to let you know how friendly and welcoming they were and how at ease I felt using the service.”