THE team at Bridgwater Foodbank have said a huge thank you to the residents and businesses of the town who keep the service running.

The Foodbank has seen demand increase, and has fed 3,726 people in the past year, providing a lifeline for some of Somerset's most vulnerable residents and families.

But manager Phil Jarman says this would not be possible without the generous donations from the people of Bridgwater, as well as support from businesses and organisations including EDF, Homes in Sedgemoor, the Rotary, as well as supermarkets such as the new M&S Food Hall, Tesco, Lidl, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsburys.

"Demand has increased - but we are seeing different causes," Mr Jarman said.

"Last year the biggest issue leading to referrals seemed to be the rollout of Universal Credit and the six-week transition period but this year, while that is still an issue, it is increase in rents that mean people are relying on the Foodbank.

"You have a lot of people on zero-hour contracts or minimum wage, and unfortunately, you do have a Hinkley C impact.

"I know from experience that a lot of private landlords have increased their prices, some by £100 or more, as there is a increase in demand for accommodation.

"That is a big jump for someone trying to support a family on a low income.

"I would love to think we would not be doing this in five years time but I cannot see demand going down with things as they are."

Mr Jarman said he was also grateful to the schools in the area, who had donated a lot in the build up to Christmas and were always brilliant and making donations for the harvest events.

"We are always gobsmacked by the amount people donate, without the support of the people of Bridgwater and its various organisations, there is no way we would be able to feed this many people," Mr Jarman added.

It has been a busy year for the Foodbank who have secured money from the Hinkley C Community Impact Mitigation Fund which will help them purchase their premises on Mount Street from Somerset County Council.

Mr Jarman did say the Foodbank already has significant supplies of soup and baked beans, but said donations of fruit juice, instant mash potato, rice pudding and things you can eat with minimal preparation would be most welcome.

"We have a fantastic team of volunteers here who give up their time to make up the parcels and help us with the admin."