SHOPPERS at Morrisons supermarket in Kendal will find heavily discounted oysters on offer in a bid to get the nation in the mood for romance ahead of Valentine’s Day.

The store on Queen Katherines Avenue is selling the salty mollusc at 25p after research revealed 40 per cent of people have never tasted nature’s most famous aphrodisiac.

The average cost of an oyster across the UK is £1.59.

Store manager Jamie Nicholson said: “Morrisons is making this exclusive shellfish affordable, offering customers a taste of luxury for the average price of a pack of crisps. Half of our British oysters end up being shipped abroad and we thought our customers might like more for themselves.”

The research conducted by the supermarket showed more than one in ten (12 per cent) would like to try an oyster but are put off by the price.

Another 60 per cent are put off because they think they will dislike the taste and another one in five (20 per cent) don’t know what to do with them.

21 per cent fear they won’t be able to open the tough shell.

Oysters will be available at 25p in Morrisons Kendal from today until the Valentines Day.

To help first timers know what to do with their oyster, Morrisons’ fishmongers at larger stores with separate fish counters will lead oyster preparation classes.

They will also shuck and prepare individual oysters, upon request.

Morrisons nationwide is buying 200,000 oysters – two thirds of the UK’s stock of retail oysters – and the most that has ever been sold in Valentine’s Week.

The complete stock of oysters will be sourced from Scotland for the duration of the offer. The shellfish will be available either as a six-pack or as single oysters.

See the Morrisons website for their oyster tips, serving suggestions and Valentine’s Day recipes your.morrisons.com/oysters/