The 'Leicestershire' sausages, due for launch in April, will be made at Walkers sausage-making facility in Leicester.

Dickinson and Morris, which runs the Ye Olde Pork Pie Shop in Nottingham Street, hopes exposure on the shelves of the supermarket giant will better promote its regional produce.

Donna Smith, sales director of Dickinson and Morris, who negotiated the deal, said: "The increased visibility our sausage line will gain from this relationship will hopefully raise more consumer awareness of our entire brand.

"We are delighted Tesco is supporting local brands."

The sausage will be available in Tesco stores throughout Leicestershire and the Midlands and is one of a series of Melton-based lines set to appear on Tesco shelves.

Long Clawson Dairy, Belvoir Brewery and Belvoir Fruit Farm are all negotiating new deals as part of the supermarket's local sourcing drive.

Last week many local producers welcomed the Tesco local scheme while others labelled it a just a mere 'public relations move'.