Charitable Chelmsford people gave 44 tons of food in just five weeks for a mercy mission to Eastern Europe.

The 2,800 boxes of food aid have all been donated as part of this year's Harvest for the Hungry campaign and were donated by 36 churches and 32 schools, as well as individuals taking part.

Donations also came from Chelmsford branches of Tesco, Sainsbury and Marriage's.

The supplies have been loaded on to two lorries ready to be sent off.

The Rev Roger Stark, one of the organisers, said: "We have had a record response, and the generosity of people has been overwhelming. It's a big, big story because it has all come from the people of Chelmsford."

One of the lorries is going off to Macedonia and the other to Bulgaria and the journeys are expected to take five or six days.

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