Campaigner calls for food bank to 'stop vulnerable from starving'

Ian Guest, chief executive of South Yorkshire Credit Union, spoke out after the full extent of the impact of the recession and proposed Government changes to benefit on people's lives becomes increasingly apparent.

But he emphasised there was no immediate need to panic.

He said: ''Already we have had people ask us where is their nearest food bank. People just don't appreciate the enormity of the changes coming. I think demand will outstrip supply.''

And given the UK's status as one of the wealthiest in the world he said: ''It is a bit ironic isn't it that we are having to create a food bank.''

He said practical measures would include finding the necessary funding for such a bank, establishing a network of volunteers and suitable premises.