An iconic British food is selling for more than £50 online after disappearing from supermarket shelves. Stores across the country are at the moment not stocking Gentleman's Relish - a spreadable, spiced version of potted anchovies, after its producer, AB World Foods, confirmed that its creation had ceased because it no longer had a wide enough appeal.

It told the Spectator magazine: "We can confirm that after some 20 years as custodian of the Gentleman's Relish brand, we are no longer making Patum Peperium.

"While we recognise that this Victorian relish has a niche and loyal following, it sadly does not have wider commercial appeal and, despite our best efforts, retailer distribution has dwindled. With Gentleman's Relish no longer commercially viable and unable to secure a buyer for the brand, we regrettably stopped production earlier this year."

NineLifeUK is offering a tub of the food for £51.13, with the company saying it is in stock.

A second offer on the same site is priced at £96.05.

A lot cheaper is another offer, at £38.22

A listing on eBay sets the price at £57.90.

Another, which states the paste is out of stock, priced it at £68.30.

But all hope is not lost, as the Telegraph reported earlier this month that talks are under way to save Gentleman's Relish.

AB Foods said that negotiations are being held with "several third parties" who could secure the spread's future.

A spokesperson for the firm told the newspaper:

A spokesman for AB World Foods said: "We have been blown away by the response from Gentleman's Relish fans since we confirmed our decision to stop production.

"We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to get in touch.

"Given this strength of feeling, we are pleased to say that we are at the early stages of exploring options with several third parties who have expressed an interest in taking the brand forward."

Gentleman's Relish has been a favourite of famous Britons - including Nigella Lawson, who listed it as one of the 10 foods she could not live without, and Jessica Mitford, who chose the food as her one luxury item in her episode of BBC radio programme Desert Island Discs, in 1977.