SURPRISED staff from a Southampton Asda store were delighted when a truck load of sparkling new supermarket trolleys were unexpectedly delivered to boost floundering supplies.

Staff at the Portland Terrace store were thrilled to have their trolley fleet replenished by Asda headquarters after 300 trolleys worth £40,000 mysteriously vanished in ten days earlier this month.

Although the store had been promised temporary emergency supplies to keep them going, they were not expecting to receive 240 brand new trolleys permanently.

Customer service manager, Sue Hendy, said: "We couldn't believe it when they arrived on Friday morning - there's loads of them and they're worth £30,000.

"After all the support we've had from the campaign our head quarters decided we really needed them.

"I'm over the moon. I think our shoppers will be too."

But despite the new fleet, Sue insists that the original trolley hunt must continue and with a promise to donate £1 to BBC's Children in Need for each one found - there is even more reason for Daily Echo readers to keep their eyes peeled.

Twelve trolleys have been recovered so far - with £12, Children in Need could get a set of toy cars for children infected with HIV or AIDS and a Christmas present for a homeless child.

Now we need to go the extra distance and clock up more cash for kids.

Another five trolleys could pay for a session of therapy for a child affected by violence at home or a sexually abused child or teenager.

If 250 trolleys were found, two underprivileged children could go on holiday while their mother received treatment for a life-threatening medical condition.

Over the last week, trolleys have been found in Millbrook, Shirley and Newtown, as well as in Bugle Street, the central train station and Kingsland near the city centre.

Sue said: "People have been great so far and we are collecting the ones that have been reported but we need to keep going."

With so many still to be found there is scope to raise the same amount in cash for Children in Need, which could make a big difference.

A spokesman for the charity said: "A £300 sum is a generous amount and could be used to make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children.

"Asda are great supporters of Children in Need and this is yet another one of their generous initiatives.

"Let's hope it will encourage the thieves to return the trolleys."

If you know where any Asda trolleys are please contact the Daily Echo newsdesk on 023 8042 4500.

To make a donation directly to Children in Need call 0845 733 2233.