CORNWALL stores have teamed up with leading suppliers to tackle hygiene poverty. 

Tesco has joined forces with its suppliers of well-known household brands to help distribute millions of personal care items to people who are in need.  

For every two purchases by Cornwall Tesco Superstore customers from a selection of essential hygiene products, its suppliers will donate a third hygiene item directly to the charity In Kind Direct. 

Participating in the campaign are Unilever, Essity, Haleon and Kimberly-Clark and new partner Edgewell. 

These products will be distributed by In Kind Direct, which works with charities, community groups, foodbanks and schools to get much-needed hygiene products into the hands of people who need them.  

Recent research commissioned by Essity has illustrated how Cornwall people are currently experiencing hygiene poverty. 

Families are often impacted, and this survey revealed that 21 per cent of households with dependents in the region have gone without hygiene products such as shampoo or deodorant. 

The survey also found that people across the region who have struggled to buy hygiene products during the last year have had to borrow from friends or family (29 per cent) or used free products in public areas (29 per cent).   

The campaign runs in Cornwall Tesco superstores until June 11.