Aldi donated 13,480 meals to those in need in Somerset over the Christmas and New Year period.

The supermarket chain joined forces with local charities, community groups, and food banks to distribute unsold fresh and chilled food when its stores closed early on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The beneficiaries of Aldi's Somerset initiative included Taunton Foodbank and Sedgemoor Community Partnership.

These donations are part of Aldi’s ongoing collaboration with Neighbourly, a platform that links businesses with charitable organisations.

To date, the partnership, which was established in 2019, has resulted in more than 40 million meals being donated to good causes.

In addition to working with Neighbourly, Aldi also partnered with Company Shop Group to provide around 2,000 meals at its Community Kitchens nationwide in the lead up to Christmas.

Somerset County Gazette: The supermarket chain joined forces with local charities, community groups, and food banks to

Liz Fox, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: "We are so proud to work with such amazing charity partners throughout the UK and the impact they have cannot be underestimated, especially during the winter months when their services are needed more than ever.

"We are pleased that through our partnership with both Neighbourly and Company Shop we have been able to give back to the communities we serve by providing more donations than ever this Christmas."

Neighbourly's chief executive officer, Steve Butterworth, added: "We’re pleased to have supported Aldi once again during what is often one of the busiest periods for our charities.

"Large donations like Aldi’s allow us to provide vital support to communities across the country who would otherwise miss out."