A FOREST crisis charity has opened a new food bank in a bid to keep up with demand.

Since February, Trussell Trust has fed up to 1,100 people with 66 per cent of vouchers coming from those who have had either their benefits delayed or changed.

Lydney deputy mayor, Brian Thomas cut the ribbon to the food bank alongside manager Paul Woodward and volunteers at the Fellowship Church in Lydney.

The bank is the third to open this year following the opening of the Coleford branch back in January and Cinderford in July.

Sandi McDonagh represents the bank and said: "The statistics are shocking considering we live in a first world country and there are people living below the breadline. Some people are waiting weeks for food because of a change in their benefits and we have to help them in the meantime. We didn't anticipate the demand and have found that there are a lot of people who can't get about and depend on us being in the Forest.

"The food is mostly donated through churches, supermarket collections and in recent weeks' donations from harvest festivals. Unfortunately, we can't use perishable foods but are always grateful for non-perishables such as tinned and packets of food."

The food bank is open every Wednesday from 2pm-4pm and Saturday 9am-11am.