CO-OP stores have switched all their fresh meat to British-only.

The retailer said it made the move to sell only home-sourced meats amid rising imports.

Quoting customs data, the store said meat imports to the UK have doubled in the last two decades, and called on other retailers to follow suit by buying local.

Jo Whitfield, retail chief executive of the Co-op, said: “British consumers will be shocked to see how meat imports have grown while at the same time retailers hang out the bunting and claim to back British farmers.

“We can do this because we’re owned by members, not shareholders, and can invest long-term in what matters to communities, not what provides the fastest shareholder return.”