CUMBRIAN farmers will get a boost from one of the UK's largest supermarkets, after it has decided to only stock British meat throughout the year.

Morrisons has announced that it will make the commitment to fresh British produce, and in doing so, the retailer will stop selling New Zealand and Australian fresh lamb which it has previously stocked during the winter and early spring months.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the decision from the retailer, and has called for other supermarkets to do the same.

He said: "Farmers across the South Lakes and around the country produce top quality produce. It’s no wonder people want to buy British, and its right that our supermarkets should support local farmers and help them to thrive.

"But buying British isn’t just good for British farmers, it’s also good for animal welfare and our environment.

"Farming has struggled in recent years, and changes to farm payments after Brexit are casting a heavy shadow over the industry. This news from Morrisons is definitely a chink of light."

The announcement is part of Morrisons wider programme to sell more food that is both British and local. Well over two thirds of Morrisons food is British compared to a national average of 52 per cent and the company is keen to put more homegrown food in front of customers.

Rob Youngson, meat director at Morrisons said: "Customers tell us that they want more homegrown food and we are listening. We have always been committed to selling British meat and today we are taking this a stage further by making a clear pledge that if you buy fresh meat at Morrisons it will be British."

Morrisons is able to make this commitment because it has a supply chain where uniquely it deals directly with British farmers. Rather than buying meat from intermediaries, the vast majority of its meat comes from Morrisons’ own abattoirs and processing sites.

Morrisons’ livestock buyers buy cattle, pigs and lamb directly from farmers and they will work closely to ensure this commitment is met throughout the year.