Exmouth shoppers are urged to support food charities as they prepare for the challenging winter months ahead.

Both FareShare and the Trussell Trust are bracing for record levels of demand throughout the festive season and New Year, with a considerable number of local residents expected to rely on aid from these charities.

Tesco's Food Collection in Exmouth Express stores will run until December 2 and will host the drive in larger stores from November 30 to December 2.

Customers are encouraged to donate long-life food products to benefit charities.

The Tesco Christmas Report for this year found that 26 per cent of individuals intend to contribute to a food bank.

Exmouth shoppers are requested to donate vital items such as UHT & powered milk, tinned meat and fish, sponge/rice pudding, long-life fruit juice, sauces, tinned vegetables, dried soup, pasta, rice and noodles, cereal and porridge, along with tea and coffee.

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO, said: "Over the last 10 years our generous customers have helped donate over 100 million meals to communities across the UK.

"Whether it's in your local store through the Winter Food Collection or via your Clubcard points online, even the smallest donation can make a real difference to someone else's Christmas."

Notably, both charities will face their busiest winter yet as more individuals seek support.

The Trussell Trust anticipates distributing over one million emergency food parcels between December and February.

The charity has reported that a startling 320,000 individuals have accessed a food bank for the first time in the past six months.

FareShare, on the other hand, expects to redistribute over 28,000 tonnes of food this winter, the equivalent of over 68 million meals, marking a surge of over 42 per cent from last year.

FareShare Chief Executive George Wright said: "Over the last decade, Tesco has supplied more than 250 million meals to FareShare, more than any other organisation in our history.

"If you’re able to donate just one item at your local store, you’ll be helping to provide a meal for someone facing hunger this winter."

Trussell Trust Chief Executive Emma Revie added on to this by stating: "The support provided by Tesco and their customers is invaluable to the food banks in our network.

"The generous donations received are vital in ensuring food banks can meet the urgent levels of need."

As a build up to the Food Collection, Tesco and its charity associates have devised an alternative to the traditional Trafalgar Square Christmas tree in Scarborough, aimed to raise awareness and inspire customers to donate at their local store.

All products used in the construction of this tree will be donated to the local FareShare hub.