Aldi has launched a donation drive to help foodbanks struggling this Christmas.

The supermarket has revealed a list of the most in-demand items, including tinned food, festive treats, toiletries, tea, coffee, and breakfast cereals.

Juices and soft drinks, UHT milk, cleaning products, rice and pasta, children’s gifts and pet food is also needed.

The donation drive comes as research by Aldi's community partner, Neighbourly, shows that 80 per cent of foodbanks are experiencing increased demand, particularly from families with children and the elderly.

Many are concerned they will not have enough resources to be able to support their communities this Christmas, with almost a third of foodbanks reporting difficulties in recruiting volunteers.

Aldi has community donation points in its stores nationwide.

The store expects to donate more than one million meals to charities, community groups, and foodbanks across the UK over the festive period.

Luke Emery, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: "Christmas is always an extremely busy period for foodbanks and other charitable organisations helping those most in need.

"We know many of our customers like to support local causes by using our in-store donation points, so we hope this list of items will help shoppers to pick the items that are most needed over the festive period."