A local shop is giving away hoodies to vulnerable people who are struggling to stay warm during the winter.

The Walcot Community Shop's latest kindhearted initiative aims to offer a bit of extra support to pensioners who may not be able to afford to heat their homes due to government cuts to the winter fuel allowance scheme.

The store has bought 80 cosy hoodies for people in need.

Manager Peter Mallinson said: "We want to help the elderly and vulnerable, and would like to appeal to anyone reading this who is in genuine need of help to pop in and get one.

"And if they are too frail to leave their house if someone could visit on their behalf and give me their name and address, I would be happy to deliver one to them.

"I used to get the winter fuel allowance and didn't need it, really, but a lot of people who did need it no longer have it.

"We're doing our bit to help them because the government has done a terrible thing in taking that away."

The Walcot Community Shop is next to the pharmacy on Somerville Road, off Queens Drive.