Ginsters food sold at the new Callington Tesco store travels a round trip of more than 250 miles to be delivered – despite the factory being next door. The Ginsters' produce the new store sells has to travel through three counties and back again before it can be put on the shelves.

The food is transported from Ginsters' Callington base, where it is made, to a distribution base in Avonmouth. The same produce is then driven back down to Cornwall, accumulating around 250 food miles, before it is delivered to stores in Cornwall. Tesco is so proud of the fact it is 'right next to the Ginsters bakery' it has even used it to promote its new Cornish store.

Brand communications manager for Ginsters Larry File, based at Callington, said: 'The way in which most big supermarkets work these days is that products for all supplies are sent to a central regional depot. products needed for each local store can be sent on one big order and on one lorry. For people who don't work in the food industry this may appear odd at first sight but, in fact, this system does save thousands of food miles. Without this each individual supplier would need to deliver to each individual store, which would result in a great many vehicles on our roads.'

A Tesco spokeswoman confirmed that the produce from Ginsters that is sold at its new store is taken from the Callington factory to Avonmouth before it is distributed.

The Tesco store, which has been built right next to the Ginsters factory, opened to the public on Monday.