A foodbank is calling for “urgent” donations after struggling to cope with an increase in demand over the winter period.

Watford Foodbank - which aims to provide a “lifeline” to prevent people in the community going hungry – handed out more than six kilos of food to people in crisis in January.

Andrew Tranter, who is involved in the food bank, says the demand for their services has been “beyond what was anticipated” this year.

As a result, there are shortages in the amount of tinned meat, tinned fruit, tinned tomatoes, biscuits and long life milk and juice.

Mr Tranter said: “At Christmas we were inundated with kindness from people in Watford but we cannot believe we have been through so much over the last couple of month.

“In February there was also half term so there was another increase in the amount of people needing food due to schools being closed.

“We were generous to people over Christmas as it is a time of giving but it is also important to ensure we help people at this time of year too – especially as food provides fuel and heat to people in colder temperatures.”

The foodbank is supported by The Trussell Trust to help combat poverty and hunger across the UK and they provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to people who are referred to them in crisis.

The foodbank also works closely with the Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Project as well as New Hope and Watford Citizen Advice bureau.

Tesco in Waterfields has a permanent collection point for people to drop food off or the foodbank itself, located in The Empire Centre, Imperial Way, Watford, is open 10am to 1pm every day.

To support the foodbank, visit: watford.foodbank.org.uk