THE clock is ticking down towards one of the biggest days in the history of Aveley FC - and the whole community is getting behind the Millers.

On Saturday they will play host at their Parkside ground to National League South side Chelmsford City in an FA Trophy last 16 tie.

The Essex derby will be a true test for the borough side as they face a side two level above them in football's non-league pyramid but they are hoping the whole town will be backing them.

And in the High Street the message to get out and support the Millers is being backed at the local Co--op where as part of their support of the local community, staff are encouraging people to go along.

Posters promoting the game are on show and shop team leader Leanne Holt says everyone is rooting for the boys in Blue.

"Aveley are our local team and they have done fantastically well to get this far. Who knows, maybe we can support them all the way to Wembley."

Backing local good causes is second nature to staff at the convenience store where links with the local community are very strong.

In November the store played host to a day of celebration, offering refreshments to visitors and an activity area for children, to mark a year of fundraising for good causes.

Every few months the stores selects three local charities who each receive a small donation from all the cash spent in the store - and staff held the day's event to share the good news with local folk.

Leanne played a big part in organising it and said: "It was a great celebration which we all enjoyed."

And the fundraising goes on. Currently the store is supporting the Thurrock-based Batias Advocacy Service, The 180 Project MADE course (a collaboration between the Chafford Hundred Community Church's 180 Project, inspiring young people to discover their unique identity and purpose) and Reach Out For Mental Health, a local charity offering support to people contemplating suicide.

The store at Aveley is also a focal point for the local community, where a public notice features links to many local organisations and promotes up and coming events.

Among those coming up is the Aveley Community Forum Quiz Night to be held on Saturday, 29 February at Aveley Band Hall in the High Street, and the Aveley Village Community Foundation's series of Luncheon Clubs at Aveley Village centre, the next of which will happen on Thursday next week.

Last year the Co-op launched its new motto, with Group Chief Executive Steve Murrells speaking about the organisation's commitment to community well-being. The motto is "Co-op: It's what we do" - and they are certainly doing it in Aveley.