TWO Worcester men who attempted to go a month without the convenience of supermarkets in a bid to live only off local produce have managed the challenge -with just one slip-up.

At the beginning of April, Tom Leavesley and his partner Adam Laidler started a trial to see if they could survive without the almost daily trips to Tesco and Sainsbury's. The idea was to support local producers and also to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Now, a month later, Mr Leavesley, aged 23, of Mill Street, Diglis, said he had only had to make one emergency trip to Tesco.

"We had friends coming over and I hadn't time to go to the farm shop so I popped to Tesco for some chicken breasts after work," he admitted.

But other than that, he and Mr Laidler - who have also planted a veg plot in their garden - have lived off weekly organic vegetable box deliveries and produce from local farm shops.

"It has been a struggle at times," he admitted. "There was one Saturday that we didn't plan ahead and didn't go into town for supplies.

"That caused real problems in the week.

"And I think the time of year has been a factor - winter crops are running out and things like tomatoes are only just being planted. And there's been a severe lack of fruit - if we wanted any then it had to come from Spain.

"We have had a lot of things like turnip and celeriac - and if I ever see another bunch of purple sprouting I'll scream!"

But despite some hiccups, Mr Leavesley has vowed to carry on his new found way of life. "It's engrained in us now," he added.

"We won't be as strict as we have been, for instance if there is something we really want we won't deny ourselves, but it has definitely changed the way we live."

To keep up to date with how Tom and Adam get on visit their blog at www.worcesternews.co.uk