FOR the next couple of weeks, shoppers in Hullbridge can take part in the world’s first virtual harvest, as the Budgens store brings the age-old tradition into the 21st century, in support of the local cause Helping Hands.

Instead of accepting the traditional canned food donations, the store on Ferry Road will make scannable £1 coupons available for customers to scan when they reach the check out.

Store owner Hitesh Patel will tally up the number of £1 donations raised over the course of the harvest – which runs until October 6.

The money raised will be used to provide fresh fruit and vegetables, hand-delivered from the store to Helping Hand.

Mr Patel, who has run the shop since 2006, prides himself on the work he does to support the local community.

He said: “I believe that the true harvest festival is all about fresh food, therefore I wanted to make it easy for our local shoppers to donate.

“By having the collection in store, it also helps to raise awareness of our local food bank which is always looking for donations to feed hungry families in the community.

“Collecting virtual money in store, which will be turned into a fruit and vegetable package brings the harvest up to date with the 21st century and makes the process of donating easy for everyone involved.”

John McKay from Helping Hand is delighted to welcome the harvest He said: “Every year harvest-time becomes further and further removed from our lives. Thanks to Budgens it’s been brought up to date.”