A 'COMMUNITY Fridge Network' which helps cut waste in Oxford is up for a national award.

The grassroots initiative, which aims to save food by helping organisations share fridge space, has been shortlisted for Best Environment Project at this year's National Lottery Awards.

The scheme, which qualified for the awards because it received a grant from the National Lottery, has seen off competition from 700 other organisations to make the finals.

Run by the Hubbub Foundation, the Community Fridge Network has helped establish 33 fridges into communities across the UK, with another 31 in the pipeline.

In Oxford the network has a 'community fridge' at Ss Peter & Paul Church in Botley, in which anyone can put food or take food from.

The Botley fridge, which was officially 'opened' in March 2017, was the fourth in the country.

Hubbub CEO Trewin Restorick said a community fridge was 'a simple way to put good food to good use' and added: “It’s astonishing that so much edible food ends up in the bin. "

If it wins at the National Lottery Awards, the project will get a £5,000 cash prize, an 'iconic' National Lottery Awards trophy and get to attend a star-studded awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One.

Winners are chosen by a public vote at lotterygoodcauses.org.uk