LEADING councillors in the town have raised concerns over the amount of fresh products thrown away in supermarkets because of their appearance.

BBC show Hugh's War On Waste attempted to persuade the public to change the way they think about waste by challenging supermarkets and fast food firms to reduce the amount they generate.

Labour's executive member for personnel and communications Cllr Hitesh Patel watched the programme and has called for the Government to take action immediately.

He said: "The recent media coverage of the amount of food thrown away because the big supermarkets do not like its aesthetics is shocking given that thousands of families are having to rely on foodbanks because they cannot cope with the current high cost of basic living.

"The Tory Government needs to stand up to big supermarkets and the food industry in general – if countries in Europe can ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying surplus stock so can we."

Conservative leader Paul Kennedy has also highlighted his concerns over the situation.

Cllr Kennedy said he 'supports measures' to ensure all produce grown, irrespective of its appearance, enters the food chain and never becomes waste.

He added: "It is a disgraceful state of affairs that growers and distributors of fresh produce discard it to waste if it is deemed to be 'ugly'.

"Unfortunately, as a society we have, over the years, become programmed to reject products that are not aesthetically perfect, yet it is a fact that for example an 'ugly' but otherwise perfectly fresh potato, once prepared and boiled tastes as good and provides the same nutritional value as a 'beautiful' potato."

The town's Morrisons store, on Greenalls Avenue, will be taking part in the chain's national roll-out programme to find a home for unsold food in stores.

Any unsold food deemed safe to eat will be made available and donated to community organisations.

Products include fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as those which come in tins and packets.

It follows a trial in over 100 stores in Yorkshire and the north east.

The initiative will be extended to all stores early next year.

Andrew Clappen, group corporate services director, said: "We don't like the idea of good food going to waste and this programme will ensure that we find a home for the small amount of unsold food in our stores."