Inverclyde Foodbank is desperate for more festive hamper donations - as they expect demand to soar this Christmas

The anti-poverty group are almost running on empty as more and more people turn up asking for emergency parcels.

Last year they helped 800 people on Christmas Day alone while 300 toy parcels were handed out to children.

But the queue is expected to be even longer this time round.

As the countdown begins Inverclyde Foodbank visited Tesco stores for a big collection.

Organiser Fraser Donaldson, of the i58 project, said: "We can always rely on the people of Inverclyde and they always make a significant contribution at Christmas.

"We really do need as many donations as we can get.

"There is so much need out there.

"Before the end of November we had already handed out the same amount of parcels as the whole of last year.

"The demand is just growing and we are running low on everything."

With the impact of welfare reforms like Universal Credit hitting families hard, volunteers are gearing up for an even greater need for one off Christmas Hamper and every day food supplies as well.

Fraser added: "I think it is important to stress that we get absolutely no money from the government whatsoever.

"We rely completely on the donations from people in Inverclyde."

One of the volunteers is Lorella Sutherland, who is a Tesco Community Champion.

She said: "I always volunteer to make up the Christmas Hampers.

"Every year it just breaks your heart. You are putting in a tin of ham and you know that is all some people will have this Christmas."

The i58 project run by Elim Church runs the foodbank, in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

They also run a baby bank, toy bank and uniform bank, as well as a CAP financial support scheme.