Actress Joanna Lumley served tea and coffee to homeless people in Scotland's capital as part of a new volunteering drive.

The M&S Spark Something Good campaign aims to inspire the store's employees and customers to take action for social good by donating time to their local communities.

M&S ambassador Lumley visited Edinburgh to launch the scheme on Tuesday by helping out at key charities.

The Absolutely Fabulous star first surprised volunteers and staff at the Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, rolling up her sleeves and working in the centre's garden, where volunteers are installing gates and planting herbs and vegetables.

She then visited The Yard, an organisation which supports disabled children and young people, where she helped paint a playground area and heard from those the charity helps.

Her final stop was Social Bite, a charity which gives homeless people a hot meal in a restaurant environment.

Lumley pitched in with other M&S volunteers to serve tea and coffee at the Social Supper, a weekly gathering for the homeless.

The Social Bite cafe is no stranger to famous faces after George Clooney visited in November.

Lumley said: "This project is quite simple. It aims to inspire and motivate people to do something great in their community, to grab a shovel, pick up a paintbrush and donate time to help change people's lives.

"Today I've seen and heard about a number of incredibly inspiring projects happening right here in Edinburgh.

"It's been great to lend a hand to the fantastic volunteers and M&S employees who have worked so hard and I've seen first-hand the positive impact these projects have on local communities.

"But it doesn't stop here. These seven days are about kick-starting positive change and building on this momentum."

Edinburgh is the first city in Scotland to host an M&S Spark Something Good event following the successful launch of the initiative in London last summer.