MORE families will be reliant on food banks than ever before this Christmas, claims parliamentary hopeful Will Straw.

Mr Straw, prospective parliamentary candidate for Labour in Rossendale and Darwen in 2015, said the cost of living crisis facing people nationwide was leading to unprecedented demand.

On his blog, Mr Straw said: “Sadly the number of people who will be reliant on food banks this winter will be far higher than ever before.

“In Rossendale and Darwen, food banks like the Raft Foundation and the Darwen Food Larder have their work cut out this winter delivering food packages.”