As supermarkets limit the sale of eggs due to a national shortage, a hen farm boss says their plans for a new £8 million facility could have eased the problem it its approval hadn't been delayed.

Fridays Eggs, which is based in Cranbrook, has revealed how the the impact of bird flu has caused a risk of egg shortages in the run up to Christmas.

Plans for the company's new chicken farm had to be revised last year after opposition from the Environment Agency.

The company, which employs almost 300 people in the county, submitted the plan for the controversial new farm which had space for more than 190,000 hens, two years ago.

Set in a 237-acre site it was predicted the farm could produce one million free range eggs a week.

Supermarkets including Lidl and Asda last week said they were restricting egg sales to customers to three boxes and two boxes respectively.

Today, Tesco became the latest supermarket to limit the number of eggs shoppers can buy.

David Friday of Fridays Ltd said: “The new free range farm at Chainhurst would undoubtable help ease the current egg shortage in the UK.

"Unfortunately the plans submitted in December 2020 have been delayed by challenges and we’re still waiting for the committee to meet and vote on the application.”

David explained that the current egg crisis is being caused due to a range of issues.

He said: "A number of factors have come together to create this shortage.

"Avian flu, high feed commodity prices and planning restraints on new farms are all factors."

Some businesses have noticed the shortage causing egg prices to rise.

Lilly David, owner of Moonlight Cafe in Maidstone, said the cost of eggs has risen by almost 200%.

The 34-year-old said: "It used to cost me £22 for 12 trays of eggs, it now costs £60.

"Because of this we are undoubtedly going to have to increase our prices as well.

"Sadly, that, paired with the cost of living crisis, means we are losing customers.

"Those that used to come in twice a week can now only afford to come in once a week."

The Environment Secretary said she is confident “we can get through” the egg shortage gripping the UK as she noted “there are still nearly 14 million egg-laying hens” in the country.

However, Therese Coffey’s comments came as some supermarkets began limiting the number of boxes of eggs customers can buy.

Other major retailers including Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and Co-op have reassured customers that they continue to receive good supplies and were not limiting sales.

But it is unclear when the supply problems will stop as it was reported some supermarkets were resorting to importing eggs to continue the supply chain.

Speaking about his own business, Mr Friday said: "It is difficult to tell how long this shortage will go on for.

"The season for migratory birds has only just got going and this is linked to further avian flu outbreaks.

"The number of egg laying flocks affected will certainly influence egg supplies."