MUSSELBURGH'S MSP is urging people to donate long-life food items at the town’s Tesco store to help support those in need this festive season.

Colin Beattie, who also represents Midlothian North, visited Tesco Extra in Musselburgh during the Winter Food Collection to meet staff and volunteers from the Trussell Trust and FareShare.

He learned more about their decade-long partnership with Tesco.

The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of foodbanks, including East Lothian Foodbank, and provides emergency food and support to people locked in poverty. It also campaigns for change to end the need for foodbanks in the UK.

FareShare is the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors, made up of 18 independent organisations. Together, they take good-quality surplus food from right across the food industry and get it to nearly 9,500 frontline charities and community groups.

Mr Beattie said: “It was fantastic to join the staff and volunteers at Tesco to hear more about the work they are undertaking to support our local communities.

“Now more than ever our foodbanks are being relied upon as many households across East Lothian struggle to put food on the table due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“The partnership Tesco has with the Trussell Trust and FareShare helps support families across the county and I am grateful for the support they can offer my constituents.

“If you are shopping in a local store and are able to, please do consider donating some life-long food items at the collection points in Tesco.

“Any small donation can help families a great amount this Christmas.”