Kwik Save has denied reports that it is experiencing ongoing availability problems, despite reports to the contrary.

According to shoppers this week at a selection of its 184 shops, concentrated mainly in the Midlands and the north of England, the areas worst hit included tobacco and soft drinks.

One source reported: "Availability in the store close to me is very erratic. I would say overall it's running at about 70 to 80%."

Another source said: "The situation looks pretty dire. I know of four stores with minimal tobacco."

He added: "One store I went into had just two bottles of water in its chilled drinks section."

But a Kwik Save spokeswoman said: "Tobacco deliveries have been made to all stores. The ongoing supply of products has been improved and Kwik Save is confident that this will continue during the implementation of new supply and distribution processes."