Tesco is cutting 4,500 staff from 153 Metro stores.

The reduction will affect workers in Tunbridge Wells, West Malling, Gillingham, Gravesend, Canterbury and Broadstairs among others.

Earlier this year, the supermarket confirmed 9,000 roles would be hit as it introduced changes to some of the delicatessen, meat and fish counters in its biggest stores.

But this time, the changes are in the company's medium-sized shops.

Tesco has said the decision will "simplify and reduce processes and administrative tasks."

In addition to cutting staff numbers, the Metro stores are working on a faster and simpler ways of filling shelves and staff will have a wider range of roles.

There will also be changes in 134 of the 1,750 Express shops, including a slight reduction in opening hours.

Jason Tarry, UK and ROI chief executive, said: “In a challenging, evolving retail environment with increasing cost pressures, we have to continue to review the way we run our stores to ensure we reflect the way our customers are shopping and do so in the most efficient way.

"We do not take any decision which impacts colleagues lightly, but have to make sure we remain relevant for customers and operate a sustainable business now and in the future.

"Our priority now is to support affected colleagues, helping find alternative roles within Tesco for as many as possible."

This comes after William Hill announced the closure of 700 stores and government data revealed robots threaten the jobs of 635,000 workers in Kent.

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