A supermarket chain has apologised after a woman who looks after her vulnerable bed-bound partner had her online shopping cancelled without notice.

Lynda Gallagher, a full-time carer, was forced to go out and shop for essentials in store putting her at risk of contracting coronavirus after Tesco scrapped her delivery.

Ms Gallagher, 59, had placed her order nine days before it was due to arrive at her Gillingham home where she lives with her partner who has MS.

After waiting for most of the day, she looked on her computer to read that it had been "delivered".

She called the store's customer service department and was told there were not enough drivers to run the service.

The grandmother, of Livingstone Road, said: "I was then forced to trudge around to get a few bits, queue with other people and return to a man suffering from MS with a severely compromised immune system.

"I have been a loyal customer for many years and have never had any complaints. I realise the awful pressure they are under, but not even a phone call and not being given an alternative date.

"I deliberately left my order until I really needed things, so that others more needy than me could get their shop in before me.

"I shall not be returning to Tesco. I would not give them the satisfaction of having my money."

Her partner, Phil, a former dental technician, was diagnosed with the muscle-wasting disease 25 years ago.

Ms Gallagher, a former hospital care manager, suffers from heart problems.

Health chiefs have advised all people with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and ones which affect someone's immune system to remain indoors and not go out for 12 weeks.

In a statement, Tesco said: “We are really sorry this happened. It is a rare occurrence but we appreciate that this will be little comfort to Lynda.

"We are really sorry this happened. It is a rare occurrence but we appreciate that this will be little comfort to Lynda."

"We understand that getting your shopping means so much more right now and we are doing all we can to serve our customers in these difficult times.”

The company says only few online deliveries have been cancelled during recent weeks.

A government database is due to be released to supermarkets listing the most vulnerable people in society who might not have access to their own support network so they can prioritise delivery slots.

Tesco has also introduced an 80-item limit on shopping baskets to increase the number of deliveries per van and release more delivery slots to customers.

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