SEARCHES on Google have revealed that Oxford needs food banks more than nearly any other city.

The city has the third highest number of searches for food banks in the UK, according to data analysed.

Money-saving website LatestDeals.co.uk is calling on people to donate Christmas food and basic staples to help struggling families and children.

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

Using Google search data from a leading analytics firm, the number of people searching for food banks has been revealed. Trend analysis shows a rise in recent months leading to Christmas.

Universal Credit was blamed to be a large part of the increase.

The Trussell Trust said in areas where Universal Credit is fully rolled out, food bank demand has gone up 16.85 per cent compared to 6.6 per cent in other areas.

Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk 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.

“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.”

According to the data 338 households per month were found to be searching for a local food bank in Oxford.

The Trussell Trust, which runs Bicester Food Bank, said it was very concerned the situation would worsen in the months leading up to Christmas, when demand for emergency food spikes, and when the number of food bank recipients in areas of full Universal Credit service would triple.

Oxford Food Bank collects food to distribute to charities and there is also a Community Emergency Food Bank at Hollow Way, Cowley.