The shelves are looking bare at Sid Valley Food Bank after a busy Easter.

But there was a special surprise for children who came to the centre over the holiday period.

The charity is currently seeing around 55 people a week - 20 of them are children.

And thanks to a generous donor they each got a chocolate egg and the adults got an Easter treat as well.

“It was lovely when I got a message through that someone was donating Easter eggs.

“We were planning to buy some anyway but it meant the money could be used for something else,” said Andie Miles, foodbank co-ordinator.

Catering for such high numbers has left the stores looking like the proverbial Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard, so the food bank has issued an appeal for extra supplies.

“We are so grateful to everyone who donates their time, produce and money to help enable the food bank to provide help to those who need us.

“But we always need more.”

Client referrals come from the Job Centre, GPs, the Children’s Centre and Mental Health teams.

The Dissenters’ Hall distribution hub in All Saints Road in Sidmouth has been seeing more people this year than last.

“It’s just a sign of the times. People are trapped in food and fuel poverty,” Andie explained.

“It’s nothing luxury, just basic stuff.

“It’s when tomato sauce becomes a luxury and not a necessity. And we help them feel normal.”

A typical centre user might be a single mother who works but with three children, finds she doesn’t have enough money to cover the basics.

Food bank clients tend to be on keycards for fuel and as a consequence pay more than other users.

The charity is looking for non-perishable edible items like tinned meat, tinned vegetables, savoury rice, cereals and fruit juice.

In addition, they look to provide things like washing tablets and toilet rolls.

Items can be dropped off at a number of places including Waitrose, Spar in Sidford, the Co-op and local churches.

Donations can also be taken to the Dissenters’ Hall direct, from noon to 3pm on Fridays.