Nearly a third of people visiting Kingston Foodbank are now there because of problems with their benefits, organisers have said.

The proportion in trouble over debt has doubled, while low income as a “cause of crisis” has dropped by about a quarter.

The foodbank handed out two tonnes of food last month, a new record.

Organiser Paul Pickhaver said changes to the welfare system are causing difficulty for some. He said: “We are seeing more people locally and the volume of food we are distributing has gone up.

“People are going to need a huge amount of help in how they budget and use their money.

“With a benefit cap there are some families who will lose hundreds a week.

“It is not just people on benefits or who are homeless, but people in work too.”

Steven Deane, 50, from New Malden, was given foodbank vouchers by Kingston Citizens’ Advice Bureau last winter when his disability living allowance and income support were stopped in a mix-up over his living arrangements with partner Jackie Mahy, 48.

He said: “All my money was stopped. I went to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and they sent me to the foodbank.

“It was absolutely brilliant. They really helped me out a lot. Without them helping me I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Pippa Mackie, chief executive of Kingston’s Citizens’ Advice Bureau (KCABS) said: “My concern is that Kingston is often viewed as a leafy borough and people don’t realise the extent of food poverty.

“The kindness that they are shown at the food bank makes an astonishing difference.”

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey said he plans to work with KCABS and other local organisations to find out how the government’s policy affects residents.

He said: “These are difficult times and in my twice-weekly surgeries I am helping a lot of people who are affected by the welfare changes.”