A national convenience store chain has agreed to stock more than 100 food and drink products from across Sussex.

The range - which includes everything from ginger wine to organic yoghurt - will be launched in eight Budgens shops on Thursday.

Campaign group A Taste of Sussex (AToS), which promotes the region's food and drink industry, brokered the deal for about 20 suppliers.

Hilary Knight, AToS co-ordinator, said: "Partnerships such as this provide an economic lifeline for small businesses and give consumers the high-quality produce they are asking for.

"The range of food that Sussex produces is extensive and we want to encourage local producers to work together to find new markets and to increase profitability."

Family-run Court Lodge Organics in Wartling, near Hailsham, which makes a pourable yoghurt in six flavours, welcomed Budgens' move.

Co-owner David Wartling said: "It would be nice to sell three or four of our range to start with and try to build up from there. It is great that a chain like Budgens is interested in sourcing locally."

The new products will be stamped with a logo depicting the Adonis blue butterfly, which is found on the South Downs and has been saved from extinction by conservationists.

Stephanie Rice, Budgens' marketing director, said the partnership made sound commercial sense, adding: "There are some excellent Sussex suppliers and we're proud we can offer them a route to a wider market. AToS gives us a vital link with these producers."

Food From Britain, a marketing consultancy linked to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, provided funding for the partnership.

The products will be available at Budgens stores in Hassocks, Midhurst, Heathfield, Henfield, Billingshurst, Battle, Rye and Selsey.

The range will be formally launched at Budgens' flagship Midhurst store on Thursday at 11.30am. Customers will be able to taste products and meet the producers.