As the cost of living crisis continues into the Christmas season, many shoppers will be celebrating the festivities on a budget. But in an attempt to ease some of the season's financial pressure, one major retailer in the UK has announced it will be surprising customers at the checkout with a free Christmas shop.

Southern Co-op is handing out 500 free shops worth up to £30 at random across its stores, meaning customers could walk up to the till and be told their entire basket is on the house. With no competition or catch involved, customers across the country, from Devon all the way up to Kent, could be in with a chance of winning.

Simon Eastwood, chief operating officer at Southern Co-op, said: "We know families are feeling the pinch this Christmas and we wanted to do something that puts money back in people's pockets. No fuss, just a fun surprise when they're doing their normal shop which will hopefully bring an unexpected moment of joy."

Free shops will be given out as part of the Cooperative's wider Magical Moments campaign, which will also see £75,000 given in funding to local causes through the annual Winter Fund.

The funding will be spread across 50 grants of £1,500 to charities, food banks and community groups which are providing warm spaces and food to those in need this winter.

In partnership with Neighbourly, a platform which connects businesses to local causes, the funding is now in its third year.