Charity which helps mothers sees surge in demand

A baby bank based in Crawley, West Sussex, say it gets 100 referrals per month

A baby bank in West Sussex said demand for its services has doubled since last year amid the cost of living crisis.

Ten Little Toes, based in Crawley, supports families with babies by handing out goods such as nappies, wipes, milk, formula and clothes.

Founder Jojo Petty said the need for the charity's services becomes "more desperate" during the winter.

The government said it was providing support worth about £3,700 per household to cover the cost of essentials.

Ms Petty said during a recent cold snap, one family came in with their child wearing sandals as they could not afford shoes.

She said as families are paying more for bills during the winter "they can't afford to buy nappies, wipes, formula or to clothe their children".

Ms Petty said the charity now has about 100 referrals a month, which is double the amount for the same period last year.

Tiphanie Lowe says the baby bank helped when her daughter Elsie was born nine weeks prematurely

Tiphanie Lowe used the baby bank four years ago after her daughter Elsie was born nine weeks prematurely.

She said: "I needed a cot. I needed a pushchair. I needed a baby bath. I needed nappies."

Without that help she said she "wouldn't be the sort of mum I am now".

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "There are 1.7 million fewer people in absolute poverty than in 2010, including 400,000 fewer children, but we know some families are struggling.

"That’s why as we drive down inflation, we are providing support worth around £3,700 per household on average, including the Household Support Fund to help families cover the cost of essentials.”