Full list of O2 stores where you can access free mobile data over Christmas

Virgin Media O2 is giving out free mobile data and texts to help customers over Christmas during the cost of living crisis.

The firm is setting up a "National Databank" whichwill work much like a foodbank - except rather the providing people with groceries, it will give people access to free mobile data, texts, and calls.

Working alongside the Good Things Foundation, Virgin Media O2 want to help people avoid digital exclusion and being cut off as prices across the country rise.

The scheme is being piloted across ten O2 stores across the country, which have been chosen based on where people are most likely to be digitally excluded - or cut off from the internet.

As part of the trial, people can get 20GB of free O2 data per month for up to six months.

That's enough for around 220 hours of internet browsing per month, so they can get online and stay in touch with loved ones.

Virgin O2 Media are helping those in need (Getty Images)

The O2 stores taking part in the pilot are:

• Ballymena
• Broadstairs (Thanet Westwood Cross)
• Colchester
• Hastings
• Hull (Jameson Street)
• Norwich
• Newport
• Perth
• Plymouth
• Stockton-on-Tees (Teesside Retail Park)

Visit one of these stores to find out if you are eligible.

Virgin Media O2 are also giving 1million GB of data to made sure customers can stay connected over the Christmas period.

A select few amount of stores will take part (Getty Images)

Special O2 Christmas Sims will be available to eligible customers and will give them 7GB of extra data for free.

The O2 Christmas Sims can also be given as gifts, and will be available until December 31.

The National Databank can also be accessed via a network of more than 650 participating community partners nationwide.

O2 chief commercial officer Gareth Turpin said: "We’re stepping up our support during the cost-of-living crisis to help even more people stay connected this Christmas."

"It’s now going to be easier than ever for those in need to access the National Databank directly on the High Street via our O2 stores, so they can get online and connect to essential services - from medical appointments to applying for jobs."

Good Things Foundation group chief executive Helen Milner said: "Having sufficient data in our increasingly digital society is not a nice to have, it’s an absolute essential.

"If you’re not online you can’t save money on products and services, help your children to participate in home-learning, and apply for jobs."