A new project that aims to cut the number of people who depend on foodbanks is to be piloted in East Ayrshire.

The Oxfam project "A Menu for Change: Cash, Rights, Food" aims to make it easier for people in a crisis to access financial support so they do not need to turn to foodbanks.

Latest figures show the number of emergency food aid packages handed out by the Trussell Trust increased by more than 900% in the three years up to 2015/16.

The new, three-year project is a partnership between Oxfam Scotland, the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, Nourish Scotland and The Poverty Alliance.

It was awarded nearly £1 million by The Big Lottery Fund Scotland.

East Ayrshire was chosen as a pilot area alongside Dundee and Fife. The project was announced at an event at the Scottish Parliament.

Oxfam Scotland programme manager Anela Anwar said: "We are really pleased to be working with local partners in these three areas but we are determined to learn lessons to inform the response to food insecurity right across Scotland.

"It is a scandal that, while shops in Scotland are stuffed full with food, so many people's stomachs are empty because they can't afford to buy food.

"A Menu for Change is working to prevent food banks from becoming a permanent part of Scotland's social security net. Even at a time of crisis, everyone in Scotland should have the money they need to feed themselves and their families and buy other basic essentials."