Tesco has announced it is to close its branch in Chatham - with staff at the supermarket only told the news this morning.

It is one of 43 ‘unprofitable’ stores across the country which will close after the retailer revealed a huge fall in profits earlier this month.

The shop, which usually opens at 8.30am, was closed until 10.30am this morning as staff were told. It will close on April 4.

A spokesman for Tesco said it had been an “exceptionally difficult” decision to take and attempts will be made to find alternative roles for the 120 full and part time employees.

One customer, who did not want to be named, said: "I went into the store this morning and some of the staff were obviously very upset, some had been crying. Many have worked there for years. It is very sad.”

Tesco said no other stores in Kent will close. It has already confirmed that the redevelopment of the Strood branch will not go ahead.

Tesco chief executive, Dave Lewis said: “In January I announced that our performance as a business has fallen significantly short of where we would want it to be and that to protect the future of the business in the UK we would close 43 unprofitable stores.

"I went into the store this morning and some of the staff were obviously very upset, some had been crying" - Tesco customer

“It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that our Chatham Superstore is one of the 43 we plan to close.

"The decision to close the store has been exceptionally difficult to take. I recognise it will affect many hard working colleagues, our customers and the local community.

“Our priority is to explain what this announcement means for our colleagues and wherever possible, offer them alternative roles with Tesco.

“I would like to thank all our customers who have shopped in our store. We will continue to do our best to serve them through our local stores in Gillingham, Rainham and Strood and our dotcom service.”