The quest to feed the hungry in north Norfolk has been boosted by a big donation from a superstore firm.

Waitrose North Walsham today handed over a cheque for £1,110 to Cromer and District Foodbank, which has distribution centres at North Walsham, Cromer, Aylsham and Sheringham, with another planned at Holt.

The presentation, made at the foodbank warehouse in the hall behind Cromer Methodist Church, came as the charity's volunteers announced they were approaching 500 people helped since it was launched six months ago.

Foodbank chairman Tina Nicholas said: 'We have fed nearly 500 people in our first six months. The generosity of Waitrose North Walsham will help us feed many more.'

The donation was made under Waitrose's Community Matters initiative, in which each store makes a monthly donation to three local good causes.

At the checkout, customers are given a green token to put in the collecting box of the cause they choose to support. The number of tokens determines the amount given.

It is normally a share of £1,000. But Waitrose decided to triple its Community Matters donations for the nominated charities in December, instead of spending the extra money on advertising.