Ealing Foodbank has praised a popular Vietnamese restaurant after it raised more than £3,000 for the charity by giving away free meals.

On November 19 Pho, in New Broadway, offered punters a free starter, main and dessert in exchange for donations to mark its one-year anniversary.

Generous diners filled the venue between its opening hours of 12pm and 11pm and donated a total of £3,100.

Ealing Foodbank administrator Janet Fletcher, who has lived in Hanwell for more than 20 years, said: "That is amazing.

"We didn't instigate this so we are delighted and it is an amazing amount of money.

Spicy chicken with spring rolls

"It goes to show how generous local people are. Thank you so much Pho for the generosity of putting us before your costs".

She added that the money will be put towards a storage centre, hoped to be St Mellitus Church in Hanwell, which will enable the charity to keep all its food in one place.

According to Pho's head of marketing, Libby Andrews, customers donated from anywhere between £2 and £100 through cash and card payments.

She said the day drew a mix of customers who arranged to eat there because of the charity initiative, and others who were pleasantly surprised upon arrival that meals were free.

The venue did not take any bookings on the day and was walk-in only.

The likes of the Pho steak (pictured) was free on November 19

She added: "We were hoping for that amount, we were a busy restaurant on the day. It is what we were hoping for.

"We had people who donated a couple of pound and even £50 and £60 to £100.

"It was really good, it was a nice busy restaurant. Many knew what we were doing, and some people didn't hear about it but were really thrilled we were doing it.

"It is really nice we were able to do it and could celebrate our first anniversary by giving back to the community.

"We were happy to do it. We hope it makes a big difference".

The venue served up a range of Vietnamese food including pho, the national dish of Vietnam, serving rice noodle soup with a side plate of fresh herbs.

Donations can be made to Ealing foodbank here .

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