Tesco staff stepped their way to raising more than £1,000 for charity and managed to convince shoppers to join in their keep-fit challenge.

The supermarket in Cranbrook Road, Barkingside, saw people stepping continuously for ten minutes at a time last week.

And while challengers sweated away on the fitness steps, bucket collections were held to benefit the company’s national charity Diabetes UK.

Events manager Julia Cotton had two goes herself and was able to convince people to put aside their shopping trolleys and join in.

She said: “It wasn’t that hard to convince them, I was quite surprised.

“We had customers that did want to go on, especially those with diabetes themselves.”

The store raised £1,200 for the charity, with staff member Felix Famuyiwa recording the most steps in 10 minutes – 559.

Julia said: “10 minutes doesn’t seem like a long time but you have to keep up the pace.

“It’s hard work.”

The fitness steps were loaned by Redbridge Sports and Leisure Centre in Forest Road, Barkingside.