EMERGENCY referrals for foodbank parcels in Peeblesshire have almost doubled during the past financial year.

And the number of people in the area who were fed by the voluntary service's parcels rose by more than 50 per cent.

Changes to benefits payments are thought to be the main reason for the increases.

Calum Macdougall from the Peeblesshire Foodbank told us: "The majority of referrals came from the Citizens Advice Bureau and Scottish Borders Council’s Social Work Department but many came also from the local Homelessness Service, local schools, churches and charities.

"Much of the marked increase in demand is a result of changes in the benefits system, which has often resulted in delays in the payment of benefit.

"This is of considerable concern but Peeblesshire Foodbank remains committed to meeting the demand."

A total of 330 three-day emergency food parcels were distributed from last April to this March - 116 more than the previous year.

Of the parcels handed out, 73 were for families with children.

Throughout 2017/18 referrals for Peeblesshire foodbank parcels rose by 45 percent from the previous year and the total of number of people who were fed by the parcels increased by 54 percent.

The Peeblesshire Foodbank relies entirely on donations and fundraising.

The service was boosted last year with a donation of £1067 from the Tweeddale Luncheon Club.

And Nancy Fenton, along with her family, has continued to organise successful fundraising events, which have led to a further £2,160 going to the Foodbank.

Mr Macdougall added: "Members of the local community continue to provide excellent support for the Foodbank through regular food donations and fund-raising activities as well as cash donations which are much needed in order to meet costs.

"The trustees are particularly grateful to Tweeddale Luncheon Club.

"The club is being reorganised and the members decided to close the bank account and donate the funds of £1067 to the Foodbank.

"Special mention should be made of the sterling efforts of Nancy Fenton and her family in running highly successful fundraising events."

Significant quantities of donated food come from collections at the Tesco store in Peebles and at Innerleithen Co-op, where there is a collection on the first weekend of each month.

The organisers of the Innerleithen collection also let shoppers know when the Foodbank has been running short of particular items.

And four teams of volunteers organise the Foodbank’s store at Cavalry Park and to make up food parcels for delivery to clients.

This week's end-of-year figures from the Peeblesshire Foodbank coincide with the nationwide Trussell Trust reporting increases in demand across the country for its food parcels.

Across Scotland there was a 17 percent year-on-year increase reported by Trussell Trust branches.

Local MSP Christine Grahame is angered by the continuing growth in foodbank reliance.

She said: "It's a disgrace that families in the Borders and across Scotland are having to rely on emergency food parcels just to get by.

"Millions of families across the UK are suffering from a Tory pay cut – as rising prices, stagnant wages, and cuts to social security continue to squeeze living standards and push households into poverty, debt and crisis.

"These figures from the Trussell Trust show that the problem is getting worse - with food bank usage rising year on year. I know that there are at least seven food banks across my constituency, with one food bank even giving 471 parcels to children in the last year.

“Families cannot afford another year of Tory cuts. It is vital that the UK government finally takes meaningful action to boost incomes. This must include delivering a real living wage and reverse the benefits freeze to help ensure families have enough money to live on.”