A WEST Dorset business will donate funding to proceeds of Christmas tree sales to a food bank.

Groves Nurseries in Bridport and Little Groves in Beaminster have launched the charity campaign to support two food banks in west Dorset.

Money raised from selling the trees will go to the Cupboard Love Food Bank and the Beaminster Food Bank.

Bridport Cupboard Love Food Bank is run by the Rev Andrew Evans and his wife Chris and was set up in 2001, since which time they have reported ever increased demand.

Charlie Groves managing director of Groves said his business really wanted to do something this Christmas for food banks which 'do a marvellous job throughout the year'.

He said: “We know that for some families trying to make Christmas a special time can be very stressful with extra costs and it must be very hard to see everyone leaving supermarkets with trollies full of Christmas food when you are struggling.

"The food banks do a marvellous job throughout the year but are under extra pressure at Christmas to help even more families so we decided to donate something for every Christmas tree we sell this year to help them. It really is a time for giving”

The total amount raised from the campaign will be spent in Morrison’s in Bridport and the Co-op in Beaminster for donations to the food banks and the two supermarkets have also agreed to donate some extra shopping to add to the Groves purchases.

The Reverend Pete Stone from Bridport team ministry whose initiative Cupboard Love helps local families and individuals said “We are really so grateful that Groves are helping us in this way as demand this year is greater than ever and way up on last year.

"Groves has even agreed to help us deliver some of the many hampers we make up for Christmas.”

Donations for Cupboard Love Food Bank are always welcome at Church House in South Street, Bridport.

Groves and Little Groves offer free delivery of Christmas trees in the local area. For more information, please call 01308 422654 or visit grovesnurseries.co.uk