A LEADING retailer will be serving up a welcome boost for worthy causes this festive season – by giving away free food.

Charities and foodbanks in the local area are being urged to register for the scheme, run by Aldi.

The supermarket chain aims to redistribute all surplus fresh food from its stores on Christmas Eve.

Charities and good causes will be paired with local stores and can collect perishable products such as fruit, vegetables, fresh meat, fish and bread after the store closes at 6pm.

A spokesperson for Aldi said: “We’re starting our festive donations scheme even earlier this year to give as many charities as possible the opportunity to apply.

“We want to give something back to the communities that we serve at such an important time of year.”

To register, send an email to Christmas@aldi.co.uk before Sunday, November 18 and remember to include your contact details, the name of your organisation, its charity number and your contact details.