THANKS to a trolley dash involving their MP, customers in a Callington supermarket donated nearly a tonne and a half of food for the local foodbank over three days recently.

Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, dashed around Tesco in just over five minutes to collect a specially selected shopping list of the emergency items that the foodbank keeps in stock.

Mrs Murray said: 'I would like to thank Tesco for once again supporting the Trussell Trust and Callington Foodbank. Tesco in Callington does fantastic work to support the community.'

Shoppers entering the store were given a shopping list and asked to pick up an item of food such as a can of soup, a packet of cereal, long-life milk or a jar of coffee before donating it at the end of their shop. In total, volunteers took 1.36 tonnes of donated items to the foodbank to be given out to people as emergency rations. As before, Tesco will top up the value of the donations by 30%.

Foodbank project manager Pam Stephens said: 'Over three days we collected food donated by locals and visitors to the Callington store and have once again been overwhelmed by the generosity of shoppers. Our stocks now at the foodbank will enable us to continue supporting those in need, both individuals and families.

'We would like to thank all those involved in the collection; Tesco stores, their staff and the customers who gave so generously.'

Tesco ambient manager Robin Williamson said: 'It's terrific that the Callington community has, as always, donated so generously to the Foodbank. We would like to thank Mrs Murray, our customers and the volunteers for their outstanding support.'