MORE support is needed for a rural foodbank as demand for the service continues to grow.

Ryedale Foodbank in North Yorkshire, which has been open for more than three years, is appealing for financial help as the number of families needing help increases.

Manager Lesley Hurley said: "Though it is a shame that people need foodbanks in Great Britain, it looks like for the time being they are here to stay.

"As we look back over the summer holidays, when children are off for six weeks or more, we have seen an increase in the number of families having to use the foodbank.

"Some families who rely on free school meals during term time will have felt the squeeze of providing extra meals from their already meagre budget.

"Also the rolling out of Universal Credit in our area will affect working families who may have to wait an average of 18 days for a simple change in payment of working tax credit or up to six weeks for a new claim. These are things beyond their control but nevertheless difficult to live with."

In the year that ended in April the foodbank, based in Castlegate, Malton, fed 886 people, a six per cent increase on the year before.

The figure was slightly above the national average, which was two per cent according to statistics from the Trussell Trust.

To support Ryedale Foodbank, email ryedalefoodbank@gmail.com or go to ryedale.foodbank.org.uk