NORTH-East MP has visited a supermarket to learn more about its work with charities and schools.

Roberta Blackman-Woods, Labour MP for Durham City, visited Sainsbury’s store at the Arnison Centre, near Durham, yesterday.

She was given a tour of the store, which recently underwent a £14m expansion, and was told how staff are hoping to raise £5,000 for the Durham and Chester-le-Street Carers Support group – their chosen charity this year.

A total of £2,000 has been collected since June, through bag-packing, cake sales and other fundraising.

Store manager Russ Walker also talked about Sainsbury’s Active Kids programme, through which sporting, cooking and gardening equipment has been donated to city schools.

Dr Blackman-Woods said: “I wanted to find out more about the store’s charity work, school work and about a scheme to bring young people here on work experience.

“It’s really important that major employers in Durham do reach out and give young people experience.”