A NATIONAL supermarket with stores across the Borders and Peeblesshire is stocking same-sex Valentine’s Day cards for the first time.

Sainsbury’s has launched the new range to address growing demand for more diverse greeting cards as 3.1 million Britons now identify as LGBT.

The supermarket chain, which has stores in Hawick, Selkirk, Kelso, Peebles and Biggar, will sell a selection of the cards featuring illustrations of two men and two women with the words ‘You + Me’.

James Brown, Director of Commercial for Sainsbury’s said: “Choosing the perfect Valentine’s Day card is a personal and sentimental experience, which is why we’re pleased to offer new same-sex cards and give all of our love-stricken customers the ability to choose the card that’s right for them.”

Sainsbury’s has long supported the LGBT community as part of its vision to be the most inclusive retailer where people love to work and shop.

Last year, over 2000 Sainsbury’s colleagues attended 28 Pride events across the UK. The supermarket has an active LGBT network of nearly 600 members including colleagues, stakeholders and organisations that come together regularly to share experiences and contribute ideas to further support LGBT colleagues.

Other retailers including, Hallmark, Funky Pigeon and Moonpig also sell LGBT greeting cards.