Tesco is shutting down its fresh meat and fish counters across the county.

The supermarket giant has confirmed it's closing all of its remaining counters and hot delis so the space can be "repurposed to better reflect its customers’ needs".

It will be shutting down the services from Sunday.

But it confirmed all affected colleagues will be offered alternatives roles.

The company responded after KentOnline was contacted by concerned customers in Rainham.

A spokesman said: "We first announced changes to our counters back in 2019, and we’ve been reviewing them on an ongoing basis ever since.

"We have seen a significant decrease in demand for our counters over the last few years, and our customers no longer say they are a significant reason for them to come in store and shop with us.

"Instead, they are choosing to buy from our wide range of great quality products available in our aisles."

The retail giant explained most of its stores no longer operate any counters and the small number which do only have them open with reduced days and times.

Tesco chief executive Jason Tarry said: “These are difficult decisions to make, but they are necessary to ensure we remain focused on delivering value for our customers wherever we can, as well as ensuring our store offer reflects what our customers value the most.

"Our priority is to support those colleagues impacted and help find alternative roles within our business from the vacancies and newly-created roles we have available.”

The announcement comes just a few weeks after Yo! Sushi took over the counters at the Sheerness Tesco store.

It is only the second YO! Sushi kiosk in Kent with the other operating in Sevenoaks.