Ashby Co-op has shown its support for the Helipads for Hospitals charity - thanks to local litter pickers making good use of the supermarket's Big Red Bin.

The Bin was installed at the Derby Road store's car park almost two years ago and has proved popular with local residents.

It has been used for the collection of used aluminium cans and is situated in the Co-op car park.

But, as part of the scheme, Ashby Co-op has also been selling the photographic book, 'A Day Above Leicestershire', which is the day in the life of an air ambulance pilot.

Ashby Castle is featured in the book and, last week, store manager Richard Walton presented a cheque for £360, raised from its sales, to Helipads for Hospitals founder John Nowell.

John, who flew helicopters for the RAF and helped train Air Ambulance pilots, wants to increase the number of helipads around the UK in order to improve the medical outcomes of patients flown to hospitals.

He says the Ashby Bin has been a huge success and provided somewhere for the cans to go - otherwise they would be ending up in landfill.

John told Ashby Nub News: "Locally, the litter pickers have really supported the Big Red Bin and used it for recycling aluminium.

"Every week in Britain, 50 million aluminium cans are thrown away - with 52 per cent going to landfill, and lots of that is on the roadside.

"The book would make an ideal Father's Day present - it's perfect for grumpy old men!"

Richard added that the Ashby Bin is playing its own small part in helping the environment.

He said: "You do get the feeling know that all companies now are being encouraged to be more energy efficient.

"The Ashby Big Tidy Up is on May 20 and we will be supporting that on the day."

But John says the reduction in litter is noticeable in the town.

He added: "I have seen comments online that this is making a difference in Ashby.

"They go out in groups, park up and do a stretch of road with bags and a litter grabber.

"You can see the number of people going out and doing this, and coming back feeling mentally refreshed. This is what we want to see."