KIND-HEARTED supermarket staff are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for charity by wearing festive costumes.

About 20 employees at Sainsbury's in Shirley are dressing up as Santas, fairies, and angels in a bid to collect cash for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The funds raised will help the Daily Echo-backed charity appeal to fund a cancer support and information centre based at Southampton General Hospital.

The week-long effort is the brainchild of checkout assistant Sue Allen, who has been working at the store for about 20 years.

She said: "I wanted to do my bit for charity and thought this was a good way to go about it. We have a fantastic time and our customers really adore it. It's great that we can have a bit of fun and others can gain from it.

"On a more serious note it is very important to raise the money. I have lost people through cancer myself and I know how much every penny counts that goes to the charity."

This year's event is the latest in a long line of fundraisers organised by staff to help charities including Naomi House children's hospice at Sutton Scotney and Marwell Zoological Park, near Winchester.

Last year staff raised about £1,000 for British Heart Foundation and this time staff want to raise even more money for good causes.

To see the staff in action visit the supermarket from Monday, December 20 to Christmas Eve.