ALDI is spreading the festive cheer by donating free Christmas lunches to communities in Merseyside.

The supermarket giant is working in partnership with Company Shop Group to provide the meals at its Community Kitchen in Merseyside in the run up to Christmas.

Since the start of this year, Aldi has worked with Company Shop Group to manage surplus stock from all of its regional distribution centres, which are then sold at discounted prices to members.

Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “Our Regional Distribution Centres work with Company Shop Group all year round redistributing our surplus stock and donating food to provide affordable groceries for Community Shop members.

“This Christmas, we want to do something extra special to show our support, providing Christmas lunch donations to spread some festive joy among those who need it most.”

Community Shop is the Group’s award-winning social enterprise, who provide deeply discounted food and households products to low-income communities as well as life-changing development programmes.

All Community Shop members will be given the opportunity to sign up for the three-course Christmas meal, with around 160 free places available in Merseyside.

Gary Stott, Executive Chairman at Community Shop, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for Aldi’s generosity. Many of our members will feel the impact of the cost-of-living crisis even more this Christmas and moments like this will help to spread some Christmas cheer and bring our communities together.”