A TONNE of tins has been collected by a homeless support service.

The April Centre, based in Mersea Road, Colchester, appealed for long-lasting food donations throughout last month.

Following a bumper collection outside the Petrolea Close Asda store on Saturday, during which shoppers donated 12 trolley-loads of tins, the appeal reached its target.

Amy Hassell, day centre manager, said: “We have been overwhelmed with donations and our appeal has been very well received.

“Schools and other agencies we work with have all got involved and made large collections of their own.

“The response from people at Asda was brilliant and it was often people who didn’t have much to give who gave us tins, it was a moving experience.”

The food collected will be served at their day centre in Colne Bank Avenue, and put in food parcels given to the street homeless.

Amy added: “It will make a huge difference. The day centre is getting busier all the time so it is a massive boost to us to be able to offer all these lovely foods.”