THE first local asparagus of the season pushed imported gras off the shelves at Tesco stores in Evesham on Monday.

The gras, from Bomfords at Manor Farm, Luddington, and Paul Southall, of Stourport, was two weeks ahead of schedule, due to early April's unusually warm weather.

"It means the growers will earn two weeks extra cash and we will import less asparagus," said Tesco asparagus buyer Paul Smith.

"Our local growers have excelled at getting gras out early, thanks to their expertise and the good weather, and we wanted local people to be the first to benefit."

Traditionally, asparagus lovers have to wait until the beginning of May to get the delicacy on their plates, but April's good weather, which the Met Office said provided 102 hours of sunshine in Evesham during the first 10 days of the month, will also extend the season from eight to 10 weeks.

Mr Smith said: "Like most crops, asparagus responds well to good weather and the recent sunshine and minimal rain has given the gras an unbelievable spurt of growth.

The first of any British fruit or vegetable is always in high demand, and the first asparagus especially will be treated like gold dust."