A RECORD number of people have received emergency food aid in the past 12 months, the Trussell Trust has declared.

The charity said more than a million people received at least three days' emergency food from its food banks during the past financial year.

A spokesman for Ivybridge Food Bank, which is part of the Trussell Trust, said that although there is a rise nationally it cannot comment on the figures, as it is 'such a small food bank'.

'Because we're such a small food bank compared with those of bigger cities such as Plymouth, our figures vary,' they added. 'Sometimes it peaks, especially over school holidays, but sometimes it flattens.'

The trust's latest figures show a rise of 19 per cent from the previous year. The charity said 1,084,604 people, including 396,997 children, received three days' food from its 400-strong food bank network in the 2014-15 financial year compared with 913,138 in 2013-14.

While problems with benefits remain the largest driver of food bank use, low incomes have also been a big factor for the increase.

The figures show that low-income referrals have grown from 20 per cent in 2013-14

to 22 per cent of all referrals in 2014-15.

Although benefit delays and changes have decreased proportionately from 48 to 44 per cent, referrals due to sickness, homelessness, delayed wages and unemployment have all increased slightly.

Trussell Trust UK food bank director Adrian Curtis, said: 'Despite welcome signs of ­economic recovery, hunger ­continues to affect significant numbers of men, women and children in the UK today.

'It's difficult to be sure of the full extent, as the Trussell Trust's figures don't include people who are helped by other food charities or those who feel too ashamed to seek help.

'Trussell Trust food banks are increasingly hosting additional services, such as debt counselling and welfare advice, at our food banks, which is helping more people out of crisis.

'The trust's latest figures ­highlight how vital it is that we all work to prevent and relieve hunger in the UK. It's crucial we listen to the experiences of people using food banks to truly understand the nature of the problems they face; what people who have gone hungry have to say holds the key to finding the solution.'

Dr John Middleton, vice-­president at the Faculty of Public Health, said: 'The rising number of families and individuals who can't afford to buy sufficient food is a public health issue that we mustn't ignore. For many people it's not a question of ­eating well and eating healthily, it's a question of not being able to afford to eat at all.

'UK poverty is already ­creating massive health issues for people today, and if we don't tackle the root causes of food poverty now we'll see it affecting future generations too.

'The increased burden of managing people's health will only increase if we don't address the drivers.'

Ivybridge Food Bank was launched at the beginning of 2013 and covers areas of the South Hams from South Brent to Noss Mayo and as far as Woolwell. Food can be donated or vouchers can be exchanged at the food bank on Wednesdays between 1pm and 3pm at Ivybridge Methodist Church.

For more information, email [email protected]">[email protected], or call 07706 457336 or 07706 457337.