A COLLECTION for East Lothian Foodbank in Haddington’s Tesco store has been hailed a success.

Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, and Councillor George McGuire, who represents the town on the local authority, joined volunteers in the supermarket earlier this month.

The collection gathered long-life food for the Trussell Trust – a partner charity of Tesco.

East Lothian Lothian Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s network of foodbanks which last year distributed in the region of three million emergency food parcels across the UK.

Mr Hoy and Mr McGuire were happy to do their bit to help out.

Mr Hoy said: “This year has not been easy for many and the generous donations of shoppers in Tesco to the Winter Food Collection can really make a difference.”

Meanwhile, his Conservative colleague added: “It was a pleasure to support such a worthwhile cause and to join the team collecting at my local store in Haddington.

“Shoppers were very generous, and we were able to collect trolley-loads of food.”

The East Lothian Foodbank is on the lookout for new premises after outgrowing its current building on Tranent’s Civic Square.

Elaine Morrison from the group thanked everyone for their continued support.

She said: “The Tesco Winter Collection is a crucial source of emergency food for the foodbank that will help keep us topped up with essential food items to ensure we can continue to meet the demand from those in need in our community.

“Thank you to all who donated, the team at Tesco for hosting us and of course our volunteers who gave so generously of their time to support the collection."