West of England residents are being urged to make sure that no child goes hungry this Christmas by Mayor Dan Norris who visited Bath Foodbank.

With the cost of living taking a bite out of families' Christmas budgets, foodbanks are bracing for their worst winter yet.

More than 2,200 people are likely to need the support of Bath Foodbank between December and February, a third of which are expected to be children, according to Genesis Trust.

This will mean around 1,100 food parcels need to be distributed, while, nationwide, 600,000 people are expected to use foodbanks during the winter months - a huge hike in 12 months.

The Mayor says he is hoping to ride a tide of festive goodwill and boost foodbanks' stocks in the run-up to Christmas.

It comes as Bath Foodbank has unwrapped its Christmas shopping list to help feed the growing number of people in the city struggling to make ends meet.

Christmas puddings, mince pies and chocolate boxes are just some of the festive treats people are being asked to donate, alongside other urgently needed items including tinned tomatoes.

But top charities like Bath Foodbank also need food supplies all year round, Mayor Norris said, who made the point that donations beyond Christmas - especially in January and February, when foodbanks typically receive fewer items - are crucial too.

Mayor Norris said:

"Thank you to everyone working so hard this Christmas at foodbanks up and down the West of England, and to all those donating food.

"Foodbanks are not the answer in the long term, but with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, they need our support more than ever.

"Families up and down the West are grappling with ever rising costs – including keeping themselves and their loved ones warm. But hunger shouldn't be part of this struggle.

"I urge residents to give what they can this festive season."

Trussell Trust have a fantastic resource which allows locals to find a food bank close to them at https://www.trusselltrust.org/.