Tesco customers in Worcester have donated more than 5,000 meals around Christmas this year to support the charities FareShare and the Trussell Trust.

This contribution came as part of the Tesco Winter Food Collection, supported by local communities around the UK.

The Worcester collection saw a total of 5,449 meals donated, supporting these crucial charities during what promises to be their busiest winter yet.

Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said: "The generosity of our customers is truly amazing.

"At a time when people are facing financial strain, they still went out of their way to support our charity partners."

Worcester News: In Worcester the collection saw customers donate a total of 5,449 meals to make a difference in their communityIn Worcester the collection saw customers donate a total of 5,449 meals to make a difference in their community (Image: Tesco)

The Trussell Trust provides emergency food parcels for those who cannot afford essential items, facing a demand predicted to meet a food parcel distribution every eight seconds over the next three months.

While between April and September it reported that 320,000 people accessed a food bank for the first time - a record occurrence for the period.

Mr Murphy added: "From a single carton of long-life milk to a whole trolley of items, every customer who donated helped us to make this one of the most successful Winter Food Collections ever."

FareShare supports thousands of local charities, with around 1,500 frontline charities currently on their waiting list for food assistance.

Worcester News: This year will see both charities face their busiest winter yet as more people turn to them for supportThis year will see both charities face their busiest winter yet as more people turn to them for support (Image: Tescp)

Chief Executive of FareShare, George Wright, said: "With so many people struggling to afford basic essentials this winter, it’s really uplifting to see that Tesco customers have donated so much food to help people facing hunger in the community.

"Not only did they donate food, but many of them also donated their time by volunteering in store to help us collect much needed items this year too."

Besides the donation of food, Worcester customers helped by donating more than £300,000 to the charities by rounding up their bills at the till and donating through Tesco’s online groceries website.

Emma Revie, CEO of the Trussell Trust added: "People’s generosity never fails to amaze me and it is wonderful to see that once again communities and Tesco stores across the UK have come together to support their local food banks.

"Every item that is donated will make a real difference to addressing the urgent levels of need this winter."