SHOPPERS at Tesco's two local stores are being asked to give the gift of their time in the UK’s biggest food donation drive.

The Tesco Food Collection is taking place in the Greenock and Port stores from November 30 to December 2 and the Trussell Trust and FareShare need volunteers to sign-up to support the event.

Both charities face their busiest winter yet as more people turn to them for support.

The Trussell Trust, which helps run the Inverclyde Foodbank, is expecting to distribute more than 1 million emergency food parcels between December and February.

During the collection Tesco customers will be encouraged to donate long-life items for the local foodbank, which the Tele recently revealed was facing a severe shortage of stock.

Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said: “The teams in our foodbanks are working tirelessly to ensure everyone receives the support they need but they cannot do it alone.

"By volunteering at the Tesco Winter Food Collection you will not only be helping to gather much-needed donations to keep your local foodbank going, you’ll also be making a real difference to families who cannot afford the essentials in your community. If you can spare a few hours to volunteer then please do.”

You can sign up to volunteer at www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/tesco-food-collection/volunteer