IRVINE has more people relying on foodbanks than anywhere else in North Ayrshire, the Times can reveal.

​New figures released this week has shown that the use of foodbanks in North Ayrshire has risen significantly - with Irvine ranking highest in terms of numbers of food vouchers used.

The report shows that 4651 food vouchers were given out in the area during 2014, which is a rise of 1673 from 2013’s figure of 2978.

A breakdown of each area in North Ayrshire shows Irvine West saw 956 vouchers given while Irvine East had 413 vouchers - a total of 1369 vouchers - the highest in North Ayrshire.

Just behind Irvine was Saltcoats and Stevenston where 1189 were distributed, while Kilwinning saw 480 vouchers being handed out.

The figures came from the North Ayrshire Foodbank Group’s annual report and also revealed that the number of food vouchers issued was matched by a surge in grocery donations.

From December 2013 to November 2014, food voucher distribution in North Ayrshire went up by more than 50 per cent while the amount of food handed into them had risen from 22 tonnes to 60 tonnes.

Around 60 organisations are involved in dispensing vouchers, including agencies operated by North Ayrshire Council and NHS Ayrshire and Arran along with housing associations, churches and charity groups.

North Ayrshire’s Foodbank, based in Ardrossan, was robbed just before Christmas last year, with the callous thieves taking donations of food and toys.

Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe, says he is concerned about the growing dependency on foodbanks.

He said: “It is appalling that this level of support is needed in 21st century Britain, demonstrating once again that the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer.

“I find it hard to accept in this day and age that the regular use of foodbanks is continuing to go through the roof as people struggle to feed themselves and their families.

“I know that this can be a result of a whole range of problems, including redundancy, illness, benefit hold-ups, domestic violence, debt and family breakdown. But asking for help is predominantly a last-resort, short-term measure, prompted simply by an acute income crisis.” The Labour MP praised the volunteers however who are working hard to ensure families are being fed and that the network continues to develop.

He said: “North Ayrshire appears to be among the hardest hit in Scotland because there are several pockets of deprivation in the area.

“Foodbanks therefore are a vital resource for ensuring people don’t go without and are helped through difficult periods.Clients are given three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food when they present a voucher but foodbanks offer more than just parcels of groceries.

“At one end of the operation, frontline care professionals such as doctors and social workers can identify people in crisis and direct them to helpful services.

“At the other end, volunteers can make time to chat to clients and encourage them with supportive ‘talking therapy’.

“I have always placed great store in what ordinary people can do for other ordinary people when circumstances call for it. We have seen that nationally and internationally with all kinds of charitable appeals.

“The tremendous growth in foodbanks in North Ayrshire, both in terms of the number of people helped and the number of people offering help, proves there is a real need for such a service.

“It also highlights how caring and benevolent our citizens can be.”