UK supermarkets stock first homegrown asparagus - two weeks early

First batches appear on shelves before the start of the traditional season and despite cold snap

UK supermarkets have begun stocking the first batches of British-grown asparagus this year, despite the impact of the recent "beast from the east" cold weather system.

Marks & Spencer was first off the block with British asparagus on sale in selected branches last week - nearly three weeks before the traditional start of the eight-week season on 23 April - while Waitrose put the first spears on sale on Wednesday. Sainsbury's is likely to stock small quantities from the weekend.