Disgruntled shoppers are deserting their local Asda in favour of rival supermarkets after becoming increasingly frustrated at the empty shelves and lack of open tills.

Angry customers are being forced to ditch the Greenhithe store right on their doorstep and journey to ones further afield as supplies of essentials such as milk, eggs and bread are missing.

Postman Scott Ward, lives a two-minute drive from the large chain but admits to travelling to neighbouring Gravesend whenever he needs to feed his family of four.

"We have been using Asda in Greenhithe for two decades but recently we are travelling to Lidl in Gravesend who are constantly stocking shelves," he said.

"I went recently. There was no milk and only a few cages. There were lots of products sitting in aisles wrapped in plastic on wooden pallets, not on the shelves.

"Again there were only two tills open and one lady looking after scan and go and the self checkout area. They need to invest in staffing."

Asda says it is "disappointed" to hear of negative customer experiences and is encouraging shoppers to come to them with any issues.

Meanwhile, fellow Greenhithe resident Julia Rutledge has also abandoned her closest store.

"We are now driving to Morrisons in Gravesend for our shop and what a different experience," she said. "Asda have lost our custom for sure."

While customer Ollie Crittenden added: "That Asda is a joke. We now either have a Tesco delivery or go to Tesco at Ruxley in Sidcup.

"There are no issues there. The shelves are always full and they rarely substitute anything in our delivery."

But it is not just the lack of food which is turning people away. Many are becoming increasingly annoyed at the reduction in the number of staff serving on the tills as customers are increasingly encouraged to use the self service checkout.

Shopper Suzie Chapman noted that if you want to queue for a manned-till there is often a long wait, which is not always comfortable for the eldery or infirm.

"I cannot stand and wait a long time for a till. I am in pain," she said.

She also complained that encouraging customers to use self-service takes away the social aspect of a visit to the supermarket for many.

"Some people come here weekly and it might be their only chance to talk to someone," Suzie said.

"There are some people who can't use self service for issues such as dyslexia, dyscalulus and mental health issues.

Mum Catherine Daniels, from Ingress Park Avenue, Greenhithe has two teenagers and a husband to feed.

Her main issue is the prices. "I mainly shop in Aldi now, even though Asda is my nearest supermarket as Aldi's prices are cheaper," she said.

And fellow resident Tracy Whybrow Andrews said she has moved her weekly shop to Marks and Spencers, in nearby Bluewater.

"It always looks dirty and there's more empty boxes on the shelves than stock [at Asda].

"M&S are giving them a run for their money. It's a likeness on price, it's clean and tidy and there is always plenty of stock. "

A spokesperson for Asda said: "We set ourselves high standards to ensure that our customers have a positive experience when they shop with us.

"We are disappointed to hear about these negative comments and would ask that if any customer has a concern that they contact Asda directly so that we can look into it with them."