The head of the area’s food bank scheme says there is “no doubt whatsoever” demand for handouts has risen in Swale in the last year.

Chris Norman was speaking after the UK’s biggest food bank, the Trussell Trust, revealed more than 900,000 people in Britain received emergency food from 2013 to 2014, compared to around 350,000 in 2012 to 2013.

He said although it is difficult to put into numbers the levels of need in the borough, there has been a steep rise in use of the Family Food Bank, which he runs.

Mr Norman said: “We have moved from two distribution points [in Sittingbourne and Sheppey] 12 months ago to 23 today, with a further expansion into Ashford due shortly, so it is difficult to quantify the increase in demand for our services due to the wider reach we now have.

“However, we know from working at the sharp end and dealing with people in crisis on a daily basis that we have seen an increase in demand for the services we can provide over the last 12 months.”

He added: “We wouldn’t be expanding our services unless there was a demand for it.”

Information showing greater reliance on handouts goes against indicators that appear to show the economy is on the up, such as reduced joblessness.

However, Mr Norman believes people being referred to the Family Food Bank are not any better off and the poorest are experiencing a “lag” in any economic upturn.

He said: “Politicians state that unemployment is down but you need to understand the big picture.

“At grass roots level I don’t believe families are finding it any easier to thrive.

“Everyone is talking about the recovery but in truth it’s still difficult out there.”

Mr Norman said he looks forward to the day when a food bank is not necessary in Kent and he is already looking to the longer term.

He has taken on the role of operations manager for FareShare Kent, a community interest company which is looking to set up links with supermarkets so that surplus, fit for consumption food does not go to waste and instead goes to the most needy.

.The Sittingbourne area foodbanks are at Grove Park, Woodgrove, Milton Court and Murston children’s centres, and 27 Monins Road, Iwade.