Local food producers in Cumbria are to see their wares sold alongside big brand names at an Asda store in the county.

The supermarket chain will sell home-produced food and drink at its store in Kendall from Monday.

The 19 producers include businesses owned and run by just one person, some from their kitchen.

More than 80 products will be on sale, including beer.

Trial run

The suppliers are part of Plumgarths Lakelands Food Park, in Kendal, a collection of buildings equipped to produce food and drink to supermarket standards.

If the venture is a success Asda says it could pave the way for locally produced items being stocked at stores across the UK.

Initially the products will be sold together in one part of the store but eventually they will compete alongside well-known brands.

Sir Don Curry, a Northumberland farmer and chairman of a UK Government-appointed commission examining the country's food and farming industries, is due to attend the launch of the partnership.

'Sustainable future'

Sir Don said: "In January I highlighted a need for farmers to work together to provide great local products.

"This is essential for a sustainable future for food and farming.

"That is why I am really pleased to lend my support to the Asda-Plumgarths initiative and would call on other retailers and producers to follow this lead."

Karen Todd, Asda's local sourcing manager, said: "We are sure these kind of products, both here and in other stores, will go straight to the top of our customers' shopping lists."