Love works for cashmere loo roll and oysters

ROMANTICS splashed out on tens of thousands of pounds on oysters last week as Valentine's Day demand for the aphrodisiac shellfish boosted supermarket sales.

Love-struck shoppers also bought 22 per cent more Valentine's gifts and chocolates than last year, while the number of bottles of sparkling wine rose by 83 per cent.

The figures were released yesterday by supermarket Waitrose.

The grocery arm of John Lewis said a new toilet paper with cashmere extracts had also proved a "surprise hit" during the week.

A spokeswoman said: "In times of economic hardship, it's the little luxuries that put a smile on your face, and the super soft tissue provides that stamp of luxury."

Meanwhile, John Lewis department stores saw their sales rise 12.5 per cent in the week to 49.5 million.