Cucumbers grown in Kent have travelled to branches of Marks and Spencer more than 6,000 miles away - where they are sold for £2.90 each.

The items originating from Thanet Earth in Birchington-on-Sea are hitting shelves in shops owned by the global chain in Singapore.

Pauline Rogers, who lives in Birchington, shared an image of the cucumber that was retailing for almost five Singapore dollars - which equates to about £2.90 - on local Facebook groups.

Ms Rogers, whose daughter took the photo, told KentOnline: "I thought it was funny after people were saying there would be a shortage, then my daughter sent me that.

"They earn a lot more out here than they do in England - but a ridiculous price all the same.

"I don’t think they should be exporting things like cucumbers so far away when there are limits on how much we can buy."

Ms Rogers' daughter - who lives in Singapore - saw the Kent cucumber while doing her big shop.

This comes after rationing of fruit and vegetables started at UK supermarkets early last week as retailers struggle to stock some produce in sufficient numbers.

Asda was the first to introduce the measures limiting purchases of items like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries to three per customer.

Reacting to the snap of the cucumber in Singapore, social media user Jane Rainey said: "But here in Kent we’re importing Spanish cucumbers?"

Baffled at the high price, Zoe Foulis added: "That's an insane price.

"I have no issue paying a good price for food - but £1 is plenty.

"Why ship them over there when we are also importing cucumbers?"

Thanet Earth began producing in 2008, and is the largest greenhouse complex in the UK.

It covers 166 football pitches and grows about 400 million tomatoes, 24 million peppers and 30 million cucumbers a year.

LED bulbs from the farm often produce a neon pink glow over the district's skies.

It is said to be the UK's second biggest light-polluter behind Tata Steel in Rotherham.

A spokesman for Thanet Earth has been approached for comment.