THE chairman of Worcestershire County Council has defended the rise of food banks - and has refuted claims she should be 'embarrassed' to open them.

Veteran Councillor Pam Davey agreed to open the latest foodbank in Worcestershire over the summer in Droitwich.

The facility, in Ombersley Street East at the old library centre, is the seventh to open in Worcestershire since 2009.

During a full council meeting at County Hall, she defended their rise after criticism from the Labour group.

Councillor Peter McDonald, Labour group leader, said: "What I want to know is, does she regret going to the opening of the Droitwich Food Bank?"

Cllr McDonald has been a long-standing critic of the increasing number of food banks around Worcestershire.

Their rise, which started around the time of the 2008 economic collapse, has continued steadily in recent years as the economy continued to flatline.

Cllr Davey, who as chairman is the ceremonial figurehead of the council, said: "It's quite the opposite actually.

"I was delighted to go to the food bank - I find quite often that when people find themselves in difficulty it's not because of their finances.

"It might be because an employer hasn't paid them on time, or they might have problems with their bank for reasons out of their control.

"But it doesn't mean they are feckless or in poverty.

"I think the food bank is doing a great job, and the volunteers I came across were excellent."

As she said her remarks there was applause across some sections of the council chamber.

The foodbank in Droitwich is open on Mondays from noon until 2pm, and on Thursdays from 2-4pm for people already issued with a voucher to come and have a hot drink and a chat.

They can receive help and advice on how to manage their money, as well as picking up a food parcel donated from the public, supermarkets or other sources.

All of the food banks across Worcestershire rely on vouchers distributed from the likes of social workers, health visitors and a raft of organisations like Age UK, the Citizens Advice Bureau and selected churches.