VOLUNTEERS are working "flat out" to cope with the soaring demand at Abergavenny's newly opened foodbank.

During December, its base at Morgan's Solicitors, Lion Street, has seen an ever increasing number of cash-strapped families and professionals who have lost their jobs coming through the doors.

From September 1 to December 18, 220 adults and children received handouts of emergency parcels of food.

In the last few days, a woman with five children and a couple who were reluctant to seek help were grateful recipients.

Nickie Manolescue, the foodbank's spokeswoman, said when it opened around September time just a trickle of people sought supplies, but in December the number is increasing by the day.

She said: "It has been manic. Last week we saw a couple who didn't eat for days because they were too proud to ask for help and so they could just feed their child. They'd kept their heating off too.

"We are starting to see professional people coming in which is quite a shock. We are working flat out, the need is huge, especially coming up to Christmas."

Figures obtained from foodbank charity the Trussell Trust reveal more people turned to Gwent foodbanks this autumn than last.

From the start of September to December 18, 740 adults and 406 children were fed, a total of 1146.

This is up from 591 adults and 393 children, amounting to 984, for the same period in 2011.

The area's foodbanks have managed to collect more than twice as much food in the autumn of 2012, 15.72 tonnes compared to 6.52 tonnes in 2011.

The cause has been helped by Tesco donation days, one of which was held in the Chepstow store earlier this month.

It was one of nearly 900 UK branches taking part in Help Feed People In Need, the largest ever food collection in the UK and 1559.9kg was donated.

Wales foodbank network manager Tony Graham said: "I think one of the things we have noticed is as a result of both the changes to the welfare system and the increase in the cost of living, more and more people are finding it difficult and are making choices between paying for petrol, heating and putting food on the table.

"We are so grateful for the work people are doing in the community to help," he added.