A CHARITY aimed at tackling food poverty and waste is calling for hundreds of Oxfordshire 'heroes against hunger' to volunteer this Christmas.

FareShare Thames Valley is calling for people to give their time for three hours at Tesco stores around the county in December.

Volunteers will spread Christmas cheer as they encourage shoppers to donate one or two long-life items to be donated to good causes across the UK.

Among the items being collected are packets of pasta, boxes of breakfast cereal and tins of tomatoes for homeless shelters, children's breakfast clubs, women's refuges and older people's lunch clubs. Fresh produce is also being sought from the food and drink industry.

The next Neighbourhood Food Collection takes place from Thursday, December 1 to Saturday, December 3 in Tesco Metro, Extra and superstores in Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot and Farringdon. In just three hours volunteers could collect enough tins, cans and packets to provide 500 meals for people in need.

Richard Kennell, manager at FareShare Thames Valley, said: "You don’t need any special skills or superpowers to be a hero against hunger this Christmas.

"You just need to stand in your local supermarket for a few hours, chat to shoppers and encourage them to give a little something if they can.

"It's a quick and easy way to make a practical difference and it can be a lot of fun too, especially if you round up your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours."

For more information or to sign up as an individual or a team visit fareshare.org.uk/heroes-against-hunger