SHOPPERS are becoming 'food tourists' as they search for the best of local produce.

Supermarket chain Asda says it has seen a positive response to its Yorkshire Best range launched earlier this year.

Fifty new locally produced goods have been placed on the shelves of 24 stores, including Huddersfield, promoting the best of the region's food.

At the Huddersfield store yoghurts, cream and cottage cheese from Dickinsons' dairy in Holmfirth, fizzy drinks and water from Ben Shaws, pickles and chutneys from Shaws of Huddersfield, sweets from Dobsons at Elland and Yorkshire milk, teabags and biscuits are all proving popular with customers.

"There is a feelgood factor in buying regional fine food. Searching out good food has become a leisure activity, a sort of food tourism that is affecting our shopping habits," said Karen Carlyle, executive director of the regional food group.