Shoppers gave generously to boost a national Asda initiative to help needy families.

A collection of non-perishable goods took place at the Sittingbourne store, in Mill Way.

Donations of items such as rice, pasta and essentials including wet wipes and nappies filled six trollies during the campaign launch on Saturday. It was overseen by members of the Sheppey-based Family Foodbank, and the charitable bounty will be distributed to homes across the borough.

Cllr Lee Burgess (UKIP), Kent County Council representative for Swale Central, was on hand to help.

He said: “All in all, the collection was a great success.

“The generosity of shoppers was really quite heart-warming – some people gave one tin, while others handed over three or four full carrier bags.

“It’s a terrible shame we have to do this sort of thing in this day and age, but it puts your faith back in humanity after all the bad stuff you read about in the news.”