ONE of the most harrowing scenes in the new critically acclaimed Ken Loach film may have been based on a real incident at a Glasgow foodbank.

Mid-way through I, Daniel Blake, the female lead Katie, played by Hayley Squires, pulls open a tin of beans at a foodbank in hungry desperation.

Shocked staff comfort the single mum, who hasn’t eaten properly for days because she has prioritised her two young children.

READ MORE: Food bank is expanding as hunger bites

The team behind the award-winning drama are believed to have consulted with a Glasgow foodbank while carrying out research for the film.

Julie Webster, co-founder of the now defunct Greater Maryhill Foodbank is cited in the movie’s credits.

In June 2014, the Evening Times told how Ms Webster had watched a mum repeatedly pick up and put down can after can of tinned food.

She said at the time: “I was wondering what she doing, before I realised she was looking for one with a ring pull.

“She ripped the top off and starting eating the beans with her hands, she was so hungry.”

READ MORE: Food bank is expanding as hunger bites

The drama, which is written by Loach’s frequent collaborator Paul Laverty, tells the story of Daniel Blake, a 59-year-old joiner, played by Dave Johns, who has suffered a major heart attack and has been told by his consultant he is not fit to return to his line of work.

However, he falls short of the points tally needed to qualify for the Employment and Support Allowance and is deemed fit to work.

The movie charts the struggle and frustrations he faces negotiating his way through an increasingly bureaucratic benefits system.

READ MORE: Food bank is expanding as hunger bites

Greater Maryhill Foodbank was forced to close earlier this year after a series of investigations, leaving the north of the city with a deficit in support.

Co-founder Julie Webster is facing trial over alleged fraud charges, involving a four figure sum of money.