The first English sweetcorn was picked on the Isle of Wight this week and will be in Tesco stores in time for the weekend – three weeks earlier than last year.

Tesco's sweetcorn buyer Paul Smith said: 'This three week advance means British growers will be supplying us with an extra 1.5 million cobs.

'We are a nation of sweetcorn-lovers who cannot get our hands on the English crop quick enough and this year will be no exception – we are expecting a mad rush.' 'We work closely with our growers to extend the seasons so we can increase the amount of British produce we sell and reduce imports.' The sweetcorn was grown for Tesco at Chichester-based Barfoots farms across South England and the Isle of Wight. Graham Young, managing director of Barfoots said: 'We would normally be importing sweetcorn from France at this time of year so this early crop is great for British farmers. We are the largest sweetcorn grower in Europe and we work hard with our partner farms to ensure the best quality and longest possible season.' Climatologists say that Britain has been receiving warmer winters and drier summers for the last five consecutive years. Higher temperatures and long periods without rain are also contributing to earlier crops of other vegetables such as potatoes, asparagus, runner beans and peas.

The trend will have a significant effect on the sweetcorn industry boosting the income for home growers and significantly reducing the amount of sweetcorn which would normally be imported from abroad at this time of year.

Record levels of sunshine and unseasonably hot weather combined with long dry spells have been the key factors behind this year's remarkably early crop. The season is also early thanks to new specially-developed varieties that have been planted on south-facing slopes in the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and West Sussex.

Tesco sells over one third of the total English crop produced each year.