More than five tonnes of food has been donated in a collection for two charities.

Customers donated 14,675 meals to Tesco’s Neighbourhood Food Collection for foodbank charity The Trussell Trust and charity Fareshare.

Food ranging from canned, dried and long-life was all given to Tescos in the borough, a 13 per cent increase from last summer.

Eni Martins, London community manager for Tesco, said: “Our customers have really taken the collection to their hearts and it’s great to see so many generous donations to help support some of the more vulnerable people across London, particularly in Enfield itself.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support the Neighbourhood Food Collection has received in stores and we’re pleased to be able to help those in need this summer.”

David McAuley, Trussell Trust chief executive, said: “We are truly grateful for the amazing effort by Tesco store staff, customers, volunteers and foodbanks in this year’s summer Neighbourhood Food Collection.

“The donations will make a huge difference to foodbanks’ ability to not only provide a minimum of three days’ emergency food to people in need but also additional support to tackle the root causes of poverty. It is timely given the additional pressure on families of providing lunch time meals and child care during the summer school holiday months.

“I would like to say a special thank you to everyone at Tesco who help make this event such a success. Since the Neighbourhood Food Collection inception in the summer of 2012 Tesco customers have donated over 27 million meals to help feed people in crisis.”