These are the most needed items at food banks – and the cities most in need

CHRISTMAS puddings, mince pies and custard are among the top 10 most needed items by foodbanks over the festive period.

The news comes as it's found that Edinburgh, Cardiff and Oxford are the top three UK cities most in need of the service.

As more families turn to foodbanks for help when they struggle to make ends meet, the new research reveals the items you should donate to your local service this December.

Festive favourites like Christmas puddings and mince pies top the list, as well as year-round staples like tinned soups, long life milk and tea and coffee.

The Trussell Trust, who runs the majority of UK food banks, said that over 1.8 million emergency food handouts were given this year, 436,938 to children.

Foodbanks are calling on Brits to donate Christmas foods and basic staples to help struggling families over the season of good will.

The most wanted list has been put together by foodbanks up and down the UK, and analytics from ahrefs.com and LatestDeals.co.uk.

The research also revealed the 10 UK cities that are in most need of foodbanks, based on Google searches.

Edinburgh, Cardiff and Oxford are the top three areas that have been searching for help and information about foodbanks in their local area.

Over the past three months, there were 371 online searches a month, looking for information on the service in Edinburgh, 334 a month in Cardiff and 338 a month in Oxford.

People living in Coventry, London, Plymouth, Canterbury, Sheffield, York and Exeter also make the list of most online searches made about local foodbanks.

Some foodbanks have blamed Universal Credit, saying that in cities where it's been fully rolled out the demand has gone up 16.85 per cent compared to 6.6 per cent in other areas.

A spokesperson from Food Bank Canterbury said: "We have experienced an increased need for the food bank this year. During the period July 2016- August 2017, the number of food parcels given out increased by 6.8 per cent.

"We are also currently seeing an increase in the number of referrals in the run up to Christmas. The Universal Credit problems are only part of the real problem facing low paid families who get benefits."

Tom Church from , said: "Christmas should be a time of delight, spectacle and wonder for children. But families are struggling. Many can’t even put tinned veg on the table.

JUST NOT FAIR Nurses forced to use FOODBANKS to get by on below average wage

"Next time you’re in the supermarket, add some extra basics to your basket and donate them to your local food bank. It’s a simple gesture which defines what Christmas is about."

Earlier this week we reported how a the RCN’s 2017 Employment Survey revealed that almost a quarter of nursing staff are forced to pick up a second job to make ends meet, while some nurses are even forced to use foodbanks to feed their families.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at money@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 78 24516