WILMSLOW's food bank Food Friend has had a new influx of donations from our readers following the Guardian launching its Christmas appeal last week.

And while most of us would consider Wilmslow(SK9), an affluent part of Cheshire there are 160 families who are registered to receive emergency supplies, particularly over the festive period.

The stark figures are also borne out by a survey this week which showed people taken into hospital because they were suffering from malnutrition in Greater Manchester had risen in the past five years by more than one third. Doctors blame rising levels of poverty with families struggling to put food on the table.

In Wilmslow, the numbers seeking help has increased four-fold since it was first established four years ago.

One of the people seeking assistance explained: "Because Wilmslow is an affluent area people don't think there are people like us. We are often forgotten. We can't even afford the charity shops round here because they are full of designer labels. I would have starved over Christmas if it was not for Food Friend."

The bank is run by Flo Knowles who has seen a steadily increasing flow of people coming to the church seeking help since it became her full time job two years ago.

She said: "Since the Guardian launched the appeal I have definitely noticed an increase in people bringing in donations which include long life items and Christmas treats."

Apart from monetary donations, the bank is needing, cereal, tea bags, instant coffee, long life semi-skimmed milk, instant mash/tinned potatoes, pasta, jars of pasta sauce, tinned vegetables, tinned tomatoes, tinned fruit, tinned custard, jam, tinned tuna, baked beans, tinned meat including corned beef and stewed steak, chicken curry, Spam, Fray Bentos pies, tinned soup and extra including biscuits, mince pies, Christmas puddings

Please note, no fresh food as there is nowhere to store it.

Donations can be made at Sainsbury’s Supermarket or at St Bartholomew’s on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 12.30pm.

If you know someone in the SK9 postcode who might benefit from the food bank contact Mrs Knowles on 07592 582567 or e-mail flonew@hotmail.com