CUSTOMERS at Sainsbury's in Weymouth were unable to make contactless payments due to a technical issue affecting stores nationwide, leaving some forced to shop elsewhere.

Sainsbury’s has said it is experiencing “technical issues” at some stores meaning it will not be able to fulfil the “vast majority” of online grocery deliveries.

The supermarket chain said on Saturday morning it was “working hard to fix the issue” and apologised to customers affected.

A statement from the Supermarket said: “Due to an error with an overnight software update, we are experiencing issues with contactless payments and will not be able to deliver the vast majority of today's Groceries Online orders.

"Our stores are open as usual, accepting chip and pin and cash payments."

Outside Sainsbury's on Mercery Road, staff were outside the door warning shoppers about issues with the systems which has left contactless payments unavailable.

It is understood to be an internet problem which has prevented the use of contactless payments. Self-scan was also affected.

This also meant deliveries could not be made, as the system which tells delivery drivers which house to take the shopping to had also malfunctioned.

Outside the Weymouth store on Saturday morning, most shoppers were unaffected by the technical issues.

One shopper said: "It wasn't much of an issue, I just had to use my card, it is how we used to do it a few years ago.

Another said: "The only issue was having to remember my PIN number, thankfully I did because I don't use it much these days, other than that it was normal."

Another shopper did say the issues had left her unable to shop at Sainsbury's

She said: "It has affected me because I can't go. 

"I come with my phone, I have the app and I always use it, you can get reduced prices from using it.

"I come with my phone, use the app and check out with Apple Pay.

"I will have to go to Morrison's, it isn't too bad, it isn't miles away, but it is an inconvenience."