As far as food shopping goes I'm quite used to seeking out the bargains.

Having written about the cost of living crisis since it first took hold, I've kept a closer eye on prices than many people - and tried to find supermarkets where people can get the cheapest goods.

So it came as quite a surprise to find that there's a surplus food shop in Greater Manchester that I hadn't heard about.

The Company Shop is the UK’s leading and longest-standing redistributor and retailer of surplus products and the commercial arm of the business operates a network of Company Shop ‘surplus supermarkets’, which sell discounted surplus from over 800 brands, retailers and manufacturers to its members.

You have to meet certain criteria to become a member, with employees and pension holders from various sectors able to join. These include NHS, emergency services staff and registered charities to name a few.

But each member can take two people along with them, which makes it accessible to a lot more shoppers.

I took a trip there during the week and judging by the cars parked up on a Monday morning it was obvious how popular this place is.

The branch at Stakehill Industrial Estate in Middleton is the only one in Greater Manchester. There's another just outside the region, in St Helens.

It's laid out like a typical supermarket really, with shelves full of tins and packets,........

© Manchester Evening News