Climate change is being credited with making British strawberries ­available four weeks earlier than usual.

Kent grower S&A Davies picked its first fruit on 26 February, and the fruit appeared in selected Tesco stores on 2 March.

The new variety called Clery blends the traits of Elsanta and an Italian variety known for early flowering and tolerance to lower heat and sunlight levels.

Tesco strawberry buyer Andrew Gaunt said growers would cash in on the longer season and predicted crops could soon be available at Christmas. The fruit is grown in a greenhouse under artificial lights and heat.