Customers in selected stores across the county will pick up more than their shopping on visits to certain stores over the next few weeks.

Domestic abuse awareness messages will appear on receipts at all Hertfordshire stores of Homebase, Argos and 99p during May and will offer advice on where people can receive help.

Sarah Taylor, domestic abuse programme manager for Hertfordshire, said: “While reporting figures may be higher in some areas than other in Hertfordshire, we have seen an overall increase in reported domestic abuse incidents across the county.

“We wanted to raise awareness by doing something different and to reach out to those who may be suffering from this crime, which destroys lives.”

It is hoped that the campaign message will reach hundreds of thousands of recipients, as the messages appear on over 440,000 individual receipts.