Supermarket giant Tesco is temporarily selling smaller veg to support growers hit by recent flooding and storms.

Tesco is buying slightly smaller cauliflowers, cabbages, sprouts and leeks to support farmers across the UK.

The move also aims to keep British produce on supermarket shelves and cut the risk of food shortages.

The floods have mainly affected farmers in Cornwall, Lincolnshire, East Anglia and Scotland, which have all been hit by repeated heavy rainfall and flooding since October.

Under the temporary arrangement, affected growers will supply Tesco with more of their crop to avoid having to sell for lower prices on the open market.

Tom Mackintosh, Tesco fresh produce and horticulture director, said: "By accepting slightly smaller sprouts, cauliflower, cabbages and leeks, we can support the fresh produce industry, while ensuring that customers are able to continue to buy British winter vegetables.

"We're pleased to be able to provide support to our growers, farmers and suppliers who are facing really challenging harvesting conditions."

One of the affected growers is TH Clements in the East Midlands. John Moulding, commercial director of TH Clements, said: "This is the worst flooding we have had this century and we have lost about 20% of our total winter crops.

"It's been a very tough time for us for more than three months, both physically and financially, in having to pull the vegetables out of the muddy fields. We have literally had to race against the clock to get the vegetables out of the ground to stop them from rotting.

"The flexibility that Tesco has given us has allowed us to maximise the amount of product we can get on their shelves, therefore guaranteeing greater availability for shoppers."