STAFF from a Caldicot supermarket presented a cheque for £17,500 to a local wildlife trust.

The Caldicot branch of Waitrose was selected to choose a charity that would benefit from money raised by the 5p charge for carrier bags in Wales.

Representatives of the 109 staff presented the cheque to the Gwent Wildlife Trust at its Magor Marsh reserve – and pitched in to do some work.

Partner co-ordination manager at Caldicot Louisa Hymers said: "A total of £35,000 was raised from the sale of plastic bags across Waitrose's Welsh branches and each branch was asked to nominate a charity.

"We were delighted that Gwent Wildlife Trust, our nominated charity, was one of the two selected to receive £17,500 each.

"Partners also did work at the reserve such as painting a bird hide and dragging the reens (drainage ditches). "Each branch of Waitrose can do 250 hours of voluntary work in the local community."

Richard Baker of the Gwent Wildlife Trust said: "This is one of our oldest reserves and we rely on donations to keep footpaths open and bridges in order."