THE number of people using Warrington Foodbank has jumped by 25 per cent in just one month.

That's according to the foodbank's CEO, who says that the initiative supported more than 2,400 people in October.

Between September and October, the foodbank saw a dramatic increase in the number of people using the service.

David McDonald is the CEO of the foodbank, and he says that many people are fearful ahead of the Chancellor's Autumn statement, given Jeremy Hunt's warning that 'everyone' will be paying more tax.

Mr McDonald said: "People are dreading this statement. If everyone's taxes are increasing, where is that going to put even more people?

"We're already seeing people having to weigh up the choice between paying for heating or eating.

"Increased taxes will just push people over the edge."

David said that the foodbank now supports more than 850 families across Warrington - the foodbank's parent organisation, The Trussel Trust, says that one-in-five families using foodbanks are now 'working' families.

The foodbank CEO added: "Gone are the days when foodbank users were exclusively those waiting for their Universal Credit Payments coming in.

"Our users have one job, two jobs... but their outgoings are more than their income because there's been no pay increase."

Warrington Foodbank is warning that this will be a harsher winter for many of us than we have ever known: "People will be at home, perhaps in one room with the lights on, and the cooker might be out-of-action."

The foodbank recently launched its 'Warm Winter' campaign, which asked for donations of warm clothes, pyjamas, hot water bottles, and coats in order to help the most vulnerable through the winter.

David said that despite the fact he is fearful for an incredibly harsh winter, the support given by people across Warrington has been 'tremendous.'

He said: "The support across Warrington most definitely gives me hope - without the fantastic people of Warrington, we'd not be here.

"I cannot thank everyone enough.

"There has been more and more involvement from communities, and that has been driven by the Mayor of Warrington, too."

Warrington Foodbank is also running its annual Christmas donation drive, which will launch on Monday, November 21, from its Golden Square site.