Waitrose has announced it is the first major supermarket this year to have English cherry tomatoes available in selected branches.

The sweet tomatoes are grown by one of the retailer’s long-standing suppliers Wight Salads, based on the Isle of Wight. The area is traditionally the earliest UK production area.

The early start is down to a new variety which is currently nameless, and has been under trial at the Arreton Valley Nurseries. Waitrose salad buyer Claire Burton said: “We have previously not stocked the fruit until March, but this season we have been able to start earlier because of the success of a new still numbered variety which has come through vigorous taste tasting.”

Rik Connor, Waitrose business manager added that the taste proved to be exceptional. He said: “It was selected from over 300 different type of tomato.” The tomatoes will be priced at £1.59 for a 250g punnet.

Manor House Produce, based on the Isle of Wight, also received the variety this week. Managing director Nick Yates said: “We have received a couple of boxes of the new nameless variety, and two independent retailers on the island were eager to take them. It gives them an edge having something different to offer consumers. The colour and condition was excellent and the sugar levels high.”

Yates is now looking forward to the beginning of the round tomato season. “We’re hoping that we should have some good continental beef tomatoes available in the next week or so.”

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