The Observer - Apples could rot on their branches due to labour shortages, warns The Observer. Apple growers blame government restrictions on immigrant workers for a shortage of labour. “If we can’t get the pickers, there is a grave danger that apples will be left on trees and will over-mature,” said Adrian Barlow, chief executive of grower body English Apples & Pears.

Daily Mirror - UK consumers are shunning luxury goods and name brands in a bid to slash their supermarket bills, reports the Daily Mirror. A poll by the Co-operative Bank indicated that consumers had reduced their weekly shop by £14.53 in 2008, with items including quilted toilet roll and candles deemed surplus to requirements as the economic downturn bit.

Daily Express - Eating a fry-up every day increases the chances of bowel cancer by almost two-thirds, reports the Daily Express. According to a new study, the processed meat in the high-calorie breakfast boosts the odds of getting bowel cancer by 63%. “Having a fry-up may seem a good way to start the day but not if done regularly,” said Professor Martin Wiseman of the World Cancer Research Fund.

Daily Mail - Marks & Spencer will trumpet its success in reducing the number of plastic bags given to customers, according to the Daily Mail. In a new advertising campaign, M&S will underline that it has cut the number of bags handed out by 80% since it began to charge for carrier bags.

The Times - Tesco will rake in £500m this year from food and drink produced locally, reports The Times. The UK’s largest supermarket group claims sales of locally sourced goods have climbed by 40% in 2008 and it aims to generate £1bn from local produce by 2011. “Eighty-four percent of our customers are saying that they would like to buy local lines,” said Tesco Local commercial director Willie Hamilton.