FIVE Aldi supermarkets across Worcestershire donated 2,476 meals to people in need on Christmas Eve.

The stores paired up with local charities and foodbanks to give away any quality unsold fresh food leftover after stores closed on December 24. 

Around 185 tonnes of food were donated across the country, with more than 440,000 meals donated and over 500 UK charities benefitting from the initiative in total. 

This follows on from the successful partnership between Aldi and Neighbourly, a community engagement platform that links businesses to key charitable organisations. The initiative was rolled out to all UK stores earlier this year.

Local good causes will now be able to pick up surplus food up to five days a week from the five Worcestershire stores all year round.

Fritz Walleczek, managing director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, said: “By donating fresh food such as bread, fruit, vegetables and meat we’ve been able to support charities in providing warm and healthy festive meals this Christmas season.  “The feedback has been overwhelming and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to go above and beyond with our donations once again this year, and reach hundreds of charities in places like Worcestershire and across the UK.”