A charity which needs to feed 5,000 people in the city has thanked Norwich for donating �50,000 worth of food in the last year.

Norwich Foodbank has been helped by 135 groups in the last 12 months, helping it to give out more than three-and-a-half tonnes of food each month.

Grant Habershon from the Foodbank revealed the figures yesterday, as shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh visited their warehouse on Henderson Business Park in Earlham.

She said: 'It is humbling to see how the local community is pulling together to cope with the cost of living crisis.

'I am very concerned that demand (on the Foodbank) is going up.'

The Foodbank was set up in October 2010 and relies on donations to keep it going.

Mr Habershon said: 'Everybody is always amazed at the amount of food we are getting in.

'People just seem to think this is something we can do and it is amazing.'

The Labour MP was given a tour of the warehouse with the party's parliamentary candidates for Norwich, Clive Lewis and Jessica Asato.

Mr Lewis said: 'The charities that are working overtime to run foodbanks are doing excellent work, but their very existence shames us all.

'The question I will constantly be asking myself is how can it be right that the seventh richest country in the world cannot ensure a basic threshold of decency for its most vulnerable citizens?'

The politicians heard on their tour how benefit delays were one of the main reasons people turned to the charity.

Ms Asato said: 'It is obvious people are really struggling in the city. It is wonderful what they are doing here, but I would prefer it if people didn't have to come for food.'

The bank, which is also supported by Norwich's MPs Chloe Smith and Simon Wright, is appealing for donations over the autumn.

For more information about the project contact 01603 251733.

Do you have a story about a charity? Contact Tom Bristow on 01603 772313 or email tom.bristow@archant.co.uk