AN emergency appeal has been launched to prevent stocks at Clacton’s vital foodbank running out - and the Gazette is getting right behind the campaign.

Demands on the foodbank have soared as more families struggle to pay back pay-day loans and suffer from benefits cuts.

And today a new drive has been launched for more donations after it was revealed supplies are running low.

Tendring Council has joined forces with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the fire brigade for a special Community Food Drive Donation Day at Sainsbury’s in the town centre.

Shoppers are being urged to dig deep and contribute food to the appeal.

The drive will be staged at the Sainsbury’s store in High Street, Clacton, on February 28 from 10am until 7pm.

The team will collecting donations from the public and a ‘shopping list’ of tinned or long-life food will be displayed in the store to advise people what they can buy to donate.