SHOPPERS at a Morrisons store in York were helped in packing their bags by Lady Gibson, wife of the supermarket group’s chairman, Sir Ian Gibson.

Lady Gibson helped pack at the Foss Islands Road branch to raise money towards the cost of staging this summer’s York Mystery Plays.

She was joined by more than 30 members of the plays’ cast and crew in packing bags at the check-outs in return for a small donation into buckets.

All the money raised will go towards the cost of making 3,250 garments needed to costume the 600-strong cast of actors in the plays, which will be staged amid the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey in the Museum Gardens throughout August.

“I was delighted to help Morrisons’ customers pack their shopping to help raise money for York Mystery Plays 2012,” said Lady Gibson. “This is such an important project for the city of York and one that I am very much enjoying being a part of.

“I am one of the 1,700 volunteers, many of whom I’ve discovered today are Morrisons shoppers!

“Everyone’s pulling together and helping in any way they can to support the project.”

A strong connection is building between the supermarket chain and the production after Morrisons helped organisers to get hold of 3,000 numbered T-shirts and fleeces for Mystery Plays cast and crew.

Organisers are still looking for donations of vintage, or vintage-looking, clothing and fabrics to create costumes for the plays, which are set this year in the post-war era.

Anyone who is able to help with costumes should bring items to the York Theatre Royal reception between 10am and 4pm on any weekday.