COUNCIL workers in Bradford are collecting food after demand at a local foodbank soared due to increasing poverty caused by Tory austerity in the city.

Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank was launched in 2002 and, back then, provided 28 food parcels a month for families forced into poverty.

Today the number is 1,100 a month.

Neil Terry, who works in the council’s Youth Offending Team, said: “The support we have had from staff and the council has been overwhelming.

“When we came up with the idea, I thought that just a few people in my team would support it, but then I heard that other teams were all doing the same too.

“Working in Children’s Social Care, we are well aware of the impact austerity is having on the people of Bradford.

“We know that many families on the breadline this year will struggle to put food on the table this Christmas.”