Staff at Sainsbury’s Corey’s Mill site in Stevenage are putting the money from the 5p carrier bag levy to good use as they use it to spread festive cheer in the community.

On Monday they delivered 49 personal food hampers to the Douglas Drive Senior Citizens’ Centre, with the hope that this might reduce the number of times the pensioners need to go out in the cold. Each hamper contained milk, porridge, tinned soup and dinners, tea bags and biscuits.

Two days later staff helped to supply a Christmas lunch to elderly folks at St Nicholas Community Centre in Canterbury Way, and also popped into Sunbeams Pre-School to share biscuits with the kids and teachers.

“It was absolutely brilliant,” said Rose Griffin, manager of the Douglas Drive centre. “It was the best idea ever – all the basics that would last them a couple of days. The clients were really surprised and delighted.”

Douglas Drive regulars are in for another seasonal treat on Tuesday – they’re on for a free Christmas meal at Knebworth Golf Club.