Aldi stores across Berkshire have donated 7,000 meals to families in need over the summer holidays.

The stores worked with charities and foodbanks, using the community giving platform Neighbourly to distribute surplus food, including those in Reading.

This came as demand for services increased, with Neighbourly reporting that 78 per cent of the good causes it supports had seen a rise in demand in recent months.

At the same time, 45 per cent of these organisations noticed a drop in donations.

Around four in five expect the cost-of-living crisis to continue or worsen throughout the year.

This has left organisations unable to support an average of 45 people per week.

Since Aldi began its partnership with Neighbourly in 2019, its stores across the country have donated more than 40 million meals.

Liz Fox, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: "We are so proud to work with such amazing charity partners across Berkshire and the work that they do can never be underestimated.

"Their services are needed more than ever during the summer holidays and we’re passionate about ensuring that fresh and healthy food is always accessible to those in need."

Steve Butterworth, CEO at Neighbourly, added: "We’re grateful to have Aldi’s support once again this year 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."

Shoppers can donate food to local charities, food banks, and community groups via the community donation points in Aldi stores nationwide.