MORRISONS Kingswinford is selling oysters for 25p each to encourage shoppers to get in the mood for romance ahead of Valentine’s Day, as research released today shows 60 per cent of people have never tasted the famous natural aphrodisiac.

Morrisons nationwide is buying 200,000 oysters sourced from Scotland and is pushing the salty mollusc because its own research revealed 40 per cent of people have never had the chance to taste one.

More than one in ten (12 per cent) said they would like to try an oyster but have been put off by the price. Another 60 per cent said they have been put off as they think they would not like the taste and another one in five (20 per cent) said they wouldn’t know what to do with them; while 21 per cent feared they wouldn’t be able to open the tough shell.

Robert Evans, store manager at Morrisons Kingswinford, said: “Morrisons is making this exclusive shellfish affordable, offering customers a taste of luxury for the average price of a pack of crisps.

"Half of our British oysters end up being shipped abroad and we thought our customers might like more for themselves.”

The average cost of an oyster in the UK is £1.59, but Morrisons Kingswinford will be offering them for sale at 25p until February 14.

Fishmongers at certain Morrisons stores will also be leading oyster preparation classes and they will also prepare individual oysters on request.

For oyster tips, serving suggestions and Valentine’s Day recipes check out your.morrisons.com/oysters/