A FOODBANK has made an urgent appeal after revealing the number of people using its services has more than doubled in the last year.

Braintree Area Foodbank has said it has fed 119 per cent more people this January and February than the same months last year.

This statistic follows bosses at the foodbank saying 2022 has been the busiest year since Braintree Area Foodbank opened.

It saw a 38 per cent increase in people asking for help, with bosses previously saying how they expect the trend to continue in 2023.

The foodbank was set up 11 years ago by the Trussell Trust and has four distribution centres – two in Braintree and the others in Witham and Halstead.

With the number of visitors continuously on the rise, the foodbank is asking for help with its April shopping list.

Urgent food and drink required include jam, long life juice, tinned cold meat, instant mash and custard.

The foodbank is also in need of rice, UHT milk, deodrant, toothpaste and size four, five and six nappies.

Head to the Braintree Area Foodbank Facebook page for the full list.

For more information on the foodbank or to make a donation, contact info@braintreearea.foodbank.org.uk.