SHOPPERS can bag a bargain and save a penny or two simply by switching supermarkets or buying own brand goods.

Adverts by all the major supermarkets on television and in the papers say they can beat their rivals price-wise.

But who is offering the best value for the basic items in every shopping basket?

We took a selection of items and compared the price at Huddersfield supermarkets Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, Co-op and Lidl.

The items are – brown sliced loaf, 2pt semi skimmed milk, six eggs, bag of pasta, supermarket own pasta sauce, a British chicken, one bag of salad potatoes, one small block of medium cheese, a bag of apples and own-brand teabags.

Those with all items rated as follows – Morrison at Waterloo was the cheapest for the 10 items at £12.41.

Next was the Co-op at Marsh at £12.83, but they didn’t have any freshly baked bread.

Tesco came in at number three at £14.19 with Sainsbury’s close behind priced at £14.95.

I found Asda at Fartown to be the most expensive supermarket with all 10 items costing £15.66, although on the day I visited the shelves were almost empty of chickens and only the expensive chickens remained.

One of the items was not available in Lidl (eggs) but the remaining nine items came to £14.35.

While I could not find eggs and cheese in Aldi the total price for the remaining eight items was £10.56.

Statistics released yesterday show that the Consumer Prices Index – which measures the price of regularly bought goods and services – rose from 3% in January to 3.2%.

While figures released showed inflation measured by the Retail Prices Index – which includes house sales – fall to 0% last month down from 0.1% in January, and it is expected to drop further during the months ahead.

The rising price of imported goods, particularly fruit, vegetables, is said to have caused the rise.

While economists say that the VAT cut from 17.5% to 15% introduced in December is now being reversed by shops with goods returning to the pre-cut price and often more.

Shopping advice to save ££s

Always go with a list to stick to.

Plan a weekly menu and only buy ingredients for the meals each week.

Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry as you’ll spend more.

Pack your own lunch boxes, it’s cheaper and healthier than buying out.

Try the store brands which tend to be much cheaper but as good quality.

Bag the best bargains late at night when items such as bread is reduced.

HOW about this for a cheap and easy meal for under a fiver.

Look out for special offers on salmon or buy a larger pack to make it more economical. Either way you should be able to get plenty of change from a fiver for a couple of salmon steaks or fillets.

Then, simply spread a little green pesto over each one and bake in a preheated, medium oven for about 30 minutes or until cooked through.

Meanwhile, measure out enough couscous for two into a large bowl, just cover with boiling water, add a knob of butter and cover with a plate.

This will take about 15 minutes to steam cook. Chop a mixture of fresh basil and parsley and mix this into the couscous. Serve with the salmon.