ANALYSIS of an annual toy appeal could reflect a stark rise in child poverty in Darlington, it has been claimed.

Figures released on Monday show demand on The Salvation Army’s Christmas toy appeal has increased by more than 380 per cent since its launch in the town in 2011.

The appeal sees donated toys delivered to children and families who have been referred to the scheme by social services and third sector agencies.

All agencies are asked to refer children they have assessed as being otherwise unlikely to receive gifts at Christmas, with an initial 198 children benefiting from the appeal in 2011.

Analysis reflects a significant rise in the number of youngsters being referred to the scheme since, showing 695 received gifts in December 2016.

The number of bags of food handed out to families at the same time has increased from 76 in 2011 to 250 in 2016.

Major Colin Bradshaw, who has headed the appeal since its launch, believes the figures could reflect the growth of “extreme child poverty”.

He said the appeal could be seen as a measure of poverty because only those who would not receive any gifts at all would be referred, adding:“If this is the extreme end of child poverty in Darlington then overall child poverty in our community must be rising at an alarming rate.

“I believe Darlington is on the right side of the tipping point of this dreadful trend of poverty and its implications for our community can be reversed.

“I also believe we are not far from the wrong side, where things become virtually irreversible and all resources are taking up trying to stem the negative impact caused by child poverty .”

The town’s MP, Jenny Chapman, said the figures were unsurprising and reflected a known increase in child poverty.

She suggested families were struggling due to changes in benefit rules, low paid jobs and zero hour contracts.

She added: “Child poverty is a problem and it’s one that agencies in Darlington are aware of.

“The policies the current government is implementing at the moment are making it worse – you only have to go to a foodbank to see what is happening.”