Pasties that are produced right next door to a new flagship Tesco store are having to travel an astonishing 250 miles before they end up on the supermarket's shelves.

A new Tesco at Callington in Cornwall is just metres away from the Ginsters bakery, as the supermarket chain proudly boasts.

Yet instead of coming to an arrangement where the baked goods are delivered to the door of the outlet, they instead travel to a distribution base in Avonmouth before making the journey back down to the far South West.

The arrangement is despite a growing awareness of the food miles issue, with retailers and large producers trying to reduce the impact they have on the environment.

Tesco, during promotions for the new Cornish store which opens today , even boasted that it was situated ''right next to the Ginsters bakery", and the Cornish pasty makers slogan is "real, honest food".

Ginsters' Brand communications manager Larry File said although it may seem odd, the process saves thousands of food miles in the long run.

He said: ''The way in which most companies 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 will be sold at its new store will be taken from Callington to Avonmouth before it is distributed.

Sheryll Murray, Tory MP for South East Cornwall, described the situation as "bizarre".

Mrs Murray, who has visited Ginsters, said the company is "very environmentally aware", processing a lot of its own recycling and food waste. Mrs Murray pointed out that the lorry may be making the journey in both directions anyway, to take more Ginsters products up to Avonmouth and deliver different items down to the Tesco, which are not produced next door.

She said: "In that case, it might not have such a significant impact, but I would say that it seems a good idea for Tesco to look at the individual circumstances and see if they can save on food miles by simply popping next door to pick up their pasties."