MORE than one-third of referrals to Blackburn Foodbank are for parents who cannot afford to feed their children.

Boss Ros Duerden said: “I think they are just the tip of the iceberg.”

She revealed in February, a typical month, 260 out of 746 referrals were such cases.

Mrs Duerden said: “On Friday we had a headteacher who came in to refer a mother with two children because she had not got enough money to buy food for her children. He brought her in personally because she was so ashamed about it. He did not think she would have come in if he had not accompanied her.

“Many parents don’t want to admit they can’t put food on the table for their offspring.”

Ros said she got referrals from schools, children’s centres, social services and the police. She said: “Apart from QEGS and Westholme, I don’t think there is a school in the borough we have not received a referral from.

“We cater for the size of the family and provide food for the number of children.

“I have heard from someone who buys old garments for recycling that there are families in the borough who are literally selling the clothes off their own backs to feed their children.

“It is extremely difficult for parents to admit to an outside person that they cannot feed their children.

“I am not surprised at these figures but they are shocking.

“There are a variety of causes but recession and deprivation has be among them.

“Sometimes the problem is benefits problems, sometimes it’s illness or family bereavement and sometimes it is debt. That can be a big one.”

She said in a lot of cases, parents are working but they don’t have enough hours or earning enough to put food on the table.

“Certainly more jobs and better pay would help,” she added.