FOODBANK co-ordinator Alan Beamish says that behind the affluent facade of Marlborough is a hidden minority of families struggling to feed their children.

Mr Beamish revealed this week that support workers at St John's School have had to ask for more and more food parcels to help the families of its pupils.

He said: "We have noticed a demand from schools particularly St John's, Marlborough."

He said that at the start of the holidays school support workers had stocked up on food parcels so they were able to help families throughout the six-week summer break.

He said: "The long summer holiday can be particularly difficult for families as the children are no longer getting their free midday meal. We make sure the support workers stock up the boots of their cars so they have the parcels when they are needed.

"It is easy to think of everyone in Marlborough as being affluent but the reality is quite different.

"There may be plenty of Range Rovers in the High Street but up on the hill it is a different story."

He said he had come across a number of people donating to boxes in Waitrose in Marlborough who looked well-to-do but told him that there had been times when they had to rely on food donations.

One volunteer at the foodbank which covers Marlborough, Devizes and Pewsey knows only too well what it is like to fall on hard times and have to ask for help.

Harriet Lane, 34, was homeless for five months last winter and when she returned to her home town of Devizes relied on the foodbank for help.

She said: "I am living proof it can happen to anyone. I am very grateful to the help I have had and being a volunteer is helping me get my life back together.

"The foodbank is very non-judgemental."

Mr Beamish said a number of families had been affected by changes to benefits and sanctions which meant they often had to survive for weeks with no money coming in.

Devizes Foodbank distributes its food through agencies such as Age UK Wiltshire, Citizen's Advice Bureaux and social workers at children's centres and in schools.

But Mr Beamish said: "There have been a lot more cold calls to us of late. If people can't contact an agency I can use my discretion and give out boxes directly. I don't want to let anyone go hungry.

"Reports that say people use foodbanks when they don't need to is rubbish. It is a last resort."

Drop-in sessions for people who have vouchers are held every Thursday at St Andrew's Church, Devizes between 10am and noon and at Christchurch, Marlborough on Fridays between 10am and noon.

Donations can be made at many supermarkets including Sainsbury's and Morrison's in Devizes and Waitrose and Tesco in Marlborough.