VOLUNTEERS are being sought to man a proposed foodbank to cater for Chilton residents struggling to cover costs.

Chilton Town Council is looking into the possibility of setting up a foodbank after the need for one was raised by the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

A need for the service has been identified due to rising costs, low incomes, unexpected bills and high unemployment.

Vicky Nelson, clerical officer at the town council, said: “We think that people from Chilton are going to use foodbanks.

“The scheme is still at an early stage though and we have no idea whereabouts in Chilton it would be based or when it would be set up and start running.

“The town council could not run the service but we are looking for volunteers who could operate the service and hand out the food.

“We have a list of nine people so far but we would like to enlist a few more.”

The nearest foodbank to Chilton is located at St Luke’s Church, in Ferryhill, and it is one of several based in the region helping residents.

Demand for foodbanks is growing as The Trussell Trust, which operates 400 ventures nationally, last month reported 463 per cent year-on-year rise in demand across the North-East.

In County Durham 18,592 adults and children received three days’ of emergency food relief from Trussell Trust foodbanks in 2013-14.

Further details on helping out at the foodbank can be obtained from the town council on 01388-721788.