Co-operative societies are once again reaching out to savvy students in an attempt to prompt them to choose their local co-op store for their convenience shopping.

Holders of the National Union of Student’s (NUS) “Extra” card get a 10% discount at about 2,500 Co-op Group’s stores.

They also get the same discount at more than 120 East of England Co-op outlets across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, more than 200 Southern Co-op food stores and more than 500 Midcounties Co-op stores.

Students who also become Co-op members are eligible for a further 5% reward on purchases of own-brand products and services – with a further 1% benefitting local good causes, community groups and charities.

The Co-op Group confirmed it was the first, and still only, national grocer to work with NUS extra and offer students a discount.

A spokesman said apprentices could also buy an NUS Apprentice extra card which gave them access to the Co-op discount.

Amanda Jennings, the Co-op Group’s director of marketing communications, said: “With many students living away from home for the first time our partnership with NUS extra aims to support young people trying to balance their budget - eating the right food can bring about a boost to health, wellbeing and even educational achievement.”

Fifteen co-operative societies across the country are not running the discount scheme, however, including Central England Co-op.

A Central England Co-op spokesman said: “We trialled the NUS discount scheme in 2013, but to date we have focused on our own membership scheme for all customers, rather than having separate schemes for different groups.

“However, we are continually monitoring customer demand in this area.”