M&S is offering a limited number of bundles of the first British asparagus of the season in time for local shoppers to buy on Christmas Eve.

The offer has been made possible with the upmarket retailer’s long-term partnership with Herefordshire asparagus producer Wye Valley Produce, a pioneer of the asparagus industry, developing sustainable growing methods and experimenting with varieties to extend the season.

This year, using innovative techniques, M&S Hereford will be the first store in the UK to offer the British vegetable this season.

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The initial harvest is a limited edition, representing the early pickings from young crowns. These crowns will mature in coming years, yielding larger volumes of asparagus for the supermarket.

M&S produce trading manager Kenny MacLeod said: “This delicious British asparagus, arriving before Christmas, is a fantastic example of the great quality and value M&S is known for. Thanks to our close partnership with Wye Valley Farm, we’re able to bring our Hereford customers a special seasonal treat.”

It comes as earlier this month, the grocer unveiled its anticipated 2024 Christmas sandwich range, created in partnership with food-to-go supplier Around Noon.

The Newry-based producer, which supplies hundreds of sandwiches to all 38 M&S stores across Ireland and to 21 of the supermarket’s Applegreen franchise sites, has crafted four sandwiches which are available in stores nationwide.