An attentive Sainsbury's employee has been awarded for making a suggestion which has saved the company �35,000 a year.

Amie Buck, 29, who has worked for 11 years at the retailer's Attleborough store, noticed that staff were regularly throwing away packets of Basics frozen chicken portions because the packaging kept splitting.

Her observations prompted her to take part in the company's Tell Justin scheme which encourages shop floor staff to submit comments to Sainsbury's CEO Justin King.

Amie's advice has now been put into action and has scooped her a Sainsbury's Star award for the best Tell Justin suggestion of the year.

As part of her prize, she will also be heading out to Malawi to witness the retailer's Fairtrade programme in action.

Amie, from Attleborough, said: 'It was quite a shock. I feel very proud that my idea was taken so far and saved all this money.'

She was presented her accolade by Mr King and Lorraine Kelly, who hosted the awards at Sainsbury's national conference at the NEC in Birmingham last month.

Store manager Karen Watts added: 'The competition this year has been really popular with our colleagues and customers and we're delighted that Amie has been recognised for going beyond the call of duty.'