COLLEAGUES at a Leominster food store used a giant coin to highlight how votes will be turned into cash for a good cause at an annual general meeting.

For every vote cast at the Co-operative’s AGM, 50p will be donated to a two-year campaign, in partnership with British Red Cross, designed to raise money to confront loneliness.

By voting, Co-op members in the area could help the Co-op to raise more than £100,000 across the region.

In the next few days, Co-op members across Herefordshire will be receiving their voting packs which give them the opportunity to vote on motions and elect who represents them on the Co-op’s board.

Mark Newton, manager of the Co-op food store in Dishley Street, Leominster, said: "There’s a double benefit – raising money to fight loneliness with British Red Cross and getting members involved in the future of our business.

"We want to show that being a member of the Co-op means that you get a say in the way the organisation is run."