Yorkshire Christmas tree made up of cans of food unveiled to encourage food bank donations

The tree in Scarborough has been created by using 2,000 items of food including pasta, tinned vegetables, powdered milk and tinned meat. It is also made up of tea, coffee, pasta sauces, rice pudding, dried soup, rice, noodles cereal, long life fruit juice and porridge.

The tree was created by charities Fare Share and the Trussell Trust, who work with Tesco's winter food collection. It is hoped the tree will raise awareness for those reliant on food banks this winter and encourage more donations over the Christmas period.

Ken Murphy, CEO of Tesco, believes the 'alternative tree' will 'highlight the increasing problem of food uncertainty.' He said: "We want our alternative tree to highlight the increasing problem of food uncertainty and encourage people to donate whatever they can to our Winter Food Collection. Food banks and frontline charities need our help more than ever before.

"Over the last 10 years our generous customers have helped donate over 100 million meals to communities across the UK. Whether it's in your local store through the winter food collection or via your Clubcard points online, even the smallest donation can make a real difference to someone else's Christmas."

George Wright, chief executive of FareShare, has encouraged people to donate food to 'help provide a meal for someone facing hunger this winter.' He said: "Over the last decade, Tesco has supplied more than 250m meals to FareShare, more than any other organisation in our history.

"As we prepare for another challenging winter ahead, the items we collect play a crucial part in our efforts to get food to the communities that need it most. If you're able to donate just one item at your local store, you'll be helping to provide a meal for someone facing hunger this winter."

The tree will be taken down after the festive period is over and the food will be donated to local food banks.