PEOPLE in Wiltshire have been hit with rising food prices, as the rest of the UK is also feeling the effects of inflation.

Retail analysts Kantar have found that the increasing cost of grocery shopping was higher over the festive season than pre-pandemic levels.

According to the data firm, nearly £15 was added on to the average monthly bill over the Christmas season.

And the rise has not gone unnoticed in Wiltshire.

Trish Barratt said she had seen a real difference in her total food bill.

“Yes, especially in Tesco. They’ve put their squash up by 75p and also lots of other items.

“I’d understand a 5p raise, but 75p on the squash is extortion.”

Lorna Horlock agreed: “Tesco, I’ve noticed are going through their cheapest items and adding between 20 and 40 per cent.”

Tara-Louise Jones has spotted in a difference in another supermarket.

She added: “Those massive bags of pasta in Asda were about £2.75. Now they are over £4!”

Gillian Tucker believes that it may not just be the retail giants upping their prices.

Considering whether things had become more expensive, she said: “Yes, in all shops.”

The Office for National Statistics also said recently that the rate of Consumer Prices Index inflation rose from 4.2 per cent in October to 5.1 per cent in November.

Citizens Advice has been pointing out what they know so far about the costs of living rising, raising the alarm two months ago that one in five people have already cut back on their food shop by 19 per cent or used 20 per cent less than they would usually in the last three months.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “People are very worried about the coming months

“Most people we spoke to are anxious about covering their costs this winter. They mention press coverage about rising prices in energy, food and petrol.

“Many are already feeling the effect of energy price rises, noticing increased bills or that their prepayment credit isn’t lasting as long.”

The charity is reminding people it does not take a lot to push someone into being financially strained.

They added: “They can name their income and outgoings in great detail, often to pounds and pence, and use a range of techniques to budget.

“But this can be quickly derailed, even by small unexpected bill increases or additional costs.”