SHOPPERS at Tesco – whose Keighley-district stores include an express outlet in Crossflatts – have been praised for their backing of a pre-Christmas food collection.

The supermarket giant has revealed that nationally over 2.4 million meals, including 10,120 from Bradford district, were donated by customers as part of the venture at the beginning of this month.

All the meals were given to the Trussell Trust and FareShare for distribution through food banks and charities.

In addition, Tesco made a cash donation to support the organisations' operating costs.

Jason Tarry, for the company, says: "Our customers have always amazed us with their generosity – and this time more than ever," he said.

"We know that household budgets are very stretched, but our customers have been incredible. We had people donating whole trollies of food during our Tesco Food Collection initiative – and it is genuinely heart-warming to see so much kindness.

"The fact we've had collection points in every store has made it easier than ever for customers to donate."

The collection points are remaining in place for donations.

Tesco also donates its unsold food to FareShare, which says it is expecting to see demand for its support continue to increase.