CENTRAL Devon MP and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride visited Tesco in Crediton on Friday, June 9 to thank the store for supporting numerous local community projects in recent years.

Every few months three local projects are awarded £3,000 between them based on votes cast by shoppers through their blue tokens.

Mr Stride met with Store Manager Simon Harding who explained how the store also ensures surplus food is donated to charities and the community each night through its Community Food Connection programme and that during the past 18 months the store has raised more than £9,000 for Children’s Hospice South West.

Mr Stride said: “I am very grateful that Tesco stores in our constituency have supported dozens of important local projects, including youth sports clubs, our primary schools, charities that assist people with disabilities, and organisations such as scouts and guides.

“I wanted to personally thank Simon and his team for the projects that his Crediton store has supported, as well as their fundraising for Children’s Hospice South West.”

Simon added: “It was great to welcome Mel to the store and discuss some of the initiatives we have here at Tesco to give back to the community.

“We'd love to hear from organisations who can benefit from food donations through our Community Food Connection scheme, or funding grants from Tesco Community Grants (Blue Tokens).”

To enquire please contact Crediton Tesco Community Champion Ben Shaw by emailing: [email protected] .