Volunteers are needed for the UK's biggest food collection.

The 12th annual Tesco Winter Food Collection, running from Thursday 28 to Saturday, November 30, is calling for people to help out in stores.

The event, organised by the supermarket's charity partners, the Trussell Trust and FareShare, aims to provide support to food banks and charities as they continue to face high levels of demand in the winter.

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Customers will be encouraged to donate long-life food during the collection.

The donations will help Trussell's network of food banks to provide emergency food parcels to those in need and support FareShare's 8,000 charities and community groups across the UK.

Volunteers at the collection points will play a crucial role in raising awareness of the difference each donation makes to those who rely on the charities for food.

Trussell chief executive Emma Revie said: "Last year was really hard for food banks but the support of Tesco, its customers, and the Food Collection volunteers meant that food banks could be there for people facing hunger in their local community.

"But right now, we urgently need your help to make sure food banks can be there for people this winter and you can play your part by volunteering at the Tesco Food Collection."

According to Tesco, one in five Trussell food parcels comes from the supermarket and its customers.

Kris Gibbon Walsh, CEO at FareShare, added: "We know that the need for support often rises during the winter months, as people struggle to afford essentials like food and heating.

"That’s why the Winter Food Collection is such an important event, and we’re immensely grateful to Tesco for their continued support of FareShare."

Claire De Silva, head of community at Tesco, said: "We know that they give even more generously when we have volunteers in our stores helping them to choose the right items that are needed."