The Norwich Foodbank has reminded donors to check dates before donating - after receiving a “record-breaking” tin of fish that was more than 30 years out of date.

The 50g Sainsbury’s anchovy tin, which was bought for 49p, arrived in donation at the foodbank’s warehouse, complete with the price sticker still in tact - and a best before date of April 1987.

Fortunately the expiry date of the fishy treat - which has survived seven prime ministers, 12 England football managers and 33 years - was clocked by volunteers in the warehouse before it could be distributed to a family in need.

The severely outdated dish prompted volunteers to take to social media with a reminder to donors about checking dates before gifting food to the bank.

Posts on both Twitter and Facebook from Norwich Foodbank UK, read: “Please do check the dates on items you are donating to us or any other foody [sic] charity - we received this corker today! 33 years past its best...Sainsburys, remember this font?”

Hannah Worsley, of Norwich Foodbank said: “The tin came in with donations yesterday to our Norwich Foodbank warehouse. When one of the volunteers found it we all couldn’t believe it.

“We have had out of date stuff before, but until yesterday the ‘record’ was 1990 or something.

“We do get things donated past their best before dates but due to health and safety and out of respect for those we are serving we don’t give any out that are.

“We do have a couple of charity partners who have different rules to us though, so very little gets wasted, but anything more than a year out of date we do dispose of.”

Reminding people to be mindful of best before dates, she added: “We check dates on all products that are donated to make sure we are using them right and so nothing goes out of date while in our hands, but we do urge everyone who donates to check what they are giving before putting them in the donation baskets or bringing them to us, please.”