Tesco supermarket in Osterley has been issued with a prohibition notice after the council said it found the store selling non-essential items during lockdown.

Hounslow Council officials inspecting the supermarket say they found the store, which stocks food, toiletries and household goods on the ground floor, allowing access to and purchase of clothes and other non-essential items on its first floor.

Tesco have told the council it will appeal against the order.

Council leader Steve Curran said: "At a time when Hounslow has among the highest levels of COVID-19 in London it is vital we continue to take action to protect public health wherever we find concerns.

"In this case, because Government guidance advises that where areas selling essential goods are separate to those selling non-essential goods, access to the non-essential goods should be restricted, we have required the shop to restrict sale of non-essential goods on the first floor of the superstore. Access is still allowed to the café for a takeaway service.

"Our view is that Tesco's actions go against the spirit of the law in allowing shoppers to shop for the non-essential goods.

"We recognise that Tesco is a responsible retailer and would have hoped to see them working in line with government guidance, not in opposition to it.

"Tesco do not agree with the position we have taken. That is their right and they have exercised their right of appeal. While that is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further"

"We would ask Hounslow's residents though, to undertake only essential shopping. Browsing clothes is not essential. Please stay at Home, Protect the NHS and save lives."