The UK's biggest annual charity food collection has seen over 6,000 meals donated by the local community in Lewisham, providing food parcels for people stuck in crisis over Christmas and the New Year.

The local effort was part of a total 2.5 million meals given to charities the Trussell Trust and FareShare by shoppers during last month's Tesco Food Collection.

The food donated to Trussell Trust are being used across its network of food banks, whilst donations to Fareshare are going to charities and community groups such as homeless shelters and old people's clubs.

This Is Local London:

The nationwide collection was kicked off in Deptford in late November at Fareshare's regional centre.

The value of donations from the charity collection have also been topped up by an additional 20% by Tesco, building on the items and long-life food given by customers throughout the year.

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive at FareShare, said: “We are hugely grateful to every single person who volunteered and donated items during this year’s Tesco Food Collection - it was wonderful to see so many passionate people lending a hand to support us. All items donated by Tesco customers will be redistributed by FareShare to charities and community organisations and will help to ensure more people get a hot, nutritious meal.”

The Trussell Trust’s chief executive Emma Revie also commented: “Food banks up and down the country could not do what they do without the incredible support of the public and their loyal volunteers who work tirelessly to help people when they need support the most."