Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed based on a basket of 19 essential items

Retail giant Lidl was named the UK's best-value supermarket in February, costing the average household £8 less than the priciest grocer for a basket of 19 essential items.

The German discounter beat stiff competition from the so-called Big Four as well as rival chain Aldi, according to the latest monthly Which? price comparison.

The consumer group looked at the prices of 19 essential items – including apples, eggs and Hovis bread to uncover the cheapest supermarket in February.

On average, it found shoppers would have paid £19.13 at Lidl, which narrowly beat rival discounter Aldi by just 25p.

Meanwhile, Waitrose was over £8 more expensive than Lidl for the same trolley of items.

Find out how your supermarket scored

Where does your local supermarket sit? (Getty Images)

Below is how much consumers spent on an average shopping basket of goods last month.

1. Lidl - £19.13
2. Aldi - £19.38
3. Asda - £21
4. Tesco - £22.44
5. Morrisons - £22.91
6. Sainsbury’s - £22.06
7. Ocado - £24.79
8. Waitrose - £27.44

Lidl came out cheapest overall at just £19.13, while Asda was the cheapest Big Four supermarket, rolling in at £21 exactly.

At the other end of the scale, upmarket Waitrose was over £8 more expensive than Lidl, at £27.44.

Which? also compared a shopping trolley packed with 85 items - the original 19 plus 66 more across the Big Four plus Waitrose and Ocado.

The list combined branded items, such as Kenco Millicano coffee, Oxo stock cubes and Twinings English breakfast tea, with own-label products including onions, tomatoes and milk (Getty)

This included a greater selection of branded items, such as Branston baked beans and Kleenex tissues, that aren't always available at Aldi and Lidl.

The shopping list combined branded items, such as Kenco Millicano coffee, Oxo stock cubes and Twinings English breakfast tea, with own-label products including onions, tomatoes and milk.

Asda, at £160.89, claimed the top spot - charging shoppers £17.90 less than the most expensive supermarket, Waitrose.

Grocery prices at Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Tesco were similar, with just over £4 separating the three supermarkets.

Cheapest Big Four grocer in February

The comparison of 85 items also included Ocado and Waitrose.

1. Asda - £160.89
2. Sainsbury’s - £167.03
3. Morrisons - £167.51
4. Tesco - £171.83
5. Ocado - £175.40
6. Waitrose - £178.79