ST Clare Hospice has been chosen as the official charity of the Debden branch of Sainsbury's.

Earlier this year, the store, in Torrington Drive, Loughton, asked customers and colleagues to suggest an official charity partner and the Hastingwood-based hospice has been announced as the winner.

The charity will now benefit from various fund-raising activities, and in-store collections throughout the year with money raised used to provide new equipment.

Store manager Kurt Tolladay said: “We are really pleased and excited to support St Clare Hospice. The hard work starts now, but I can definitely see our store building a strong relationship with St Clare Hospice and making a difference to their work.”