A LARGE black cat was spotted helping itself to cat food at Sainsbury’s in Alton on Friday earlier this month.

However, this was no cat burglar, but the launch of the store’s new Charity of the Year for 2018-19.

Following voting by customers during June, the Cats Protection charity came out top and will receive a year’s worth of fundraising and coin collections from the Alton store.

Throughout the year, customers will be able to donate cat care items such as food, litter, toys and medicines.

Sainsbury’s charity and community co-ordinator Debby Bridger said: “If your cat is a typically fussy feline and changes their mind about their ‘favourite’ food then please put it in the collecting box at the store.”

Louisa Bird from Cats Protection visited the store to collect three trolleys of food that has already been donated by customers.

She said: “We are very grateful to the generous customers of Sainsbury’s Alton for their donations; every item will go to help an unwanted or abandoned cat that is being fostered before they can find a ‘forever home’”.

Mrs Bridger added: “We are looking forward to working with the charity over the next year, look out for our Teddy Tombola on Thursday, August 3, as all the proceeds will go to the Cats Protection charity and you get a furry friend to take home.”