A FOOD waste hero has been helping to trial an innovative scheme around the Wee County to reduce the amount of items going into bins.

Lynne Dougan became the first point of contact in the area for a food-sharing scheme by social enterprise OLIO, in partnership with supermarket Tesco.

The idea behind the scheme is to stop supermarkets' surplus food from going to waste by distributing items nearing their expiry date.

Lynne, 54, said: "It is great to know that Tesco is supporting OLIO with a joint aim of reducing food waste.

"After I've collected from my local store, the surplus food is shared with other OLIO app users.

"It's a win-win situation for all.

"Tesco reduces its volume of waste, 'Olioers' use what would have been thrown away and save ourselves a few pennies into the bargain.

"When I make my collection at Tesco the staff are always pleased to see me, very helpful and are grateful that between us we are reducing food waste.

"This can only be good for the planet.

"Well done Tesco for working with OLIO."

Anyone downloading the app will be able to see food items nearing their expiry date available to be collected in their area for free, via non-contact pick-up.

Indeed, Lynne previously shared the initiative on the Clacks Together – Coronavirus Facebook page when the trial started with people, such as Clacks artist Karen Strang, saying that it is a "brilliant idea".

Claire De Silva, Tesco's head of communities, added: "We are very proud of our food waste work and our Community Food Connection scheme with FareShare helps thousands of charities every week.

"Right now we want to make sure that any surplus food is being managed and people who need it have access to it."

People can visit olioex.com for further details and to take advantage of the scheme.