PRESSURE is mounting at a West Dunbartonshire food bank as it supports more than 300 people a week.

Staff at West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare say they have seen client numbers soar in the past year - and it's only expected to get worse over the summer months.

Youngsters spending time off school regularly sees a rise in costs on childcare, food and activities for families, putting a strain on budgets.

Clair Coyle, the manager of the service, told the Lennox Herald: "I have been doing this for four years and you get to know when times will be busier, but this year it is frightening.

"We have beeen a lot busier.

"Looking at how many people we are providing assistance to since last year, it has gone up and we are helping more people than usual."

For Clair one of the main reasons for the rise in clients is down to the controversial rollout of Universal Credit across West Dunbartonshire.

The new benefit aimed to consolidate several other forms of social security into one, but it has been hit with criticism due to delays in payments.

Clair also told the Lennox Herald: "People are reporting that difficulties with Universal Creding and moving on to different benefits and having to wait for payments is what is causing the problems."

To combat the problem, the charity launched it's Brunch Bag scheme, which will see families given bags of food and snacks throughout the break.

They also run a uniform bank, which can be used by families struggling to pay for school clothes for their children.

To donate to the food bank, or the uniform bank, residents can visit drop off points at Alexandria CE Centre on Thursdays between 11am and 12.30pm or at the Concord CE Centre on Fridays during the same times.

Further uniform donations can also be handed in at any West Dunbartonshire Citizen's Advice Bureau.