Aldi has asked shoppers in Lancashire to donate items to help food banks struggling to meet demand this Christmas.

According to the supermarket chain, food banks, charities, and community groups across the UK have identified the most-needed items: store cupboard essentials, festive treats, toiletries, and pet food.

This comes after research by Aldi's community giving partner, Neighbourly, found that '80 per cent of foodbanks are seeing increased demand', particularly from families with children.

'Many fear they will not have enough supplies' for the festive season, while nearly a third of foodbanks report 'difficulties in recruiting volunteers', it added.

Aldi has set up community donation points in all its stores where customers can leave these items.

The supermarket also expects to donate more than one million meals to charities, community groups, and food banks across the UK.

Luke Emery, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: "Christmas is always an extremely busy period for food banks and other charitable organisations helping those most in need.

"We know many of our customers like to support local causes by using our in-store donation points, so we hope this list of items will help shoppers to pick the items that are most needed over the festive period."

Neighbourly's chief executive, Steve Butterworth, said: "With many food banks and local charities facing increased demand and lower donations, any extra support we can get this Christmas will be vital."

Aldi has been working with Neighbourly to donate surplus food from stores throughout the year.

The call to action is to help ensure that those who need support the most are not left without this festive season.