BLAENAU Gwent MP Nick Smith commended the generosity of its residents after they filled trolleys so they were overflowing with donations at a foodbank collection.

The Blaenau Gwent Foodbank held a collection at Tesco to help people in need throughout the borough.

And the supermarket donated an extra 30 per cent to all the food collection, so 1,992 meals will be provided by the donations.

The donation drive was part of a UK-wide collection in conjunction with the Trussell Trust and FareShare that collected food for 5.1 million meals over the weekend of July 3 and July 5.

Mr Smith said he was pleased by the success of the event and shoppers’ kindness.

He said: “I’m not surprised to have seen constituents give so readily, but when everything’s been added up it’s amazing to think just how much of a difference has been made.

“The volunteers who gave their time deserve so much credit in making sure people who have been abandoned by this Government’s policies still have some support.

“With promises such as the Jobs Guarantee for young people, Labour will be working to reverse this trend. But in the meantime supporting the food banks in everything they are doing is a privilege.”

To donate to the Blaenau Gwent Foodbank call 01495 352223 or email foodbank@festivalchurch.co.uk.