TEMPERS boiled over when the milk ran out at a Bridport café.

Angry customers were left frothing when staff at Costa Coffee said they were not allowed to buy more – even though Waitrose was just across the road.

They claimed corporate red tape barred them from using the West Street supermarket to get fresh supplies – because it ‘cost-a’ too much.

“Some got quite shirty about it,” admitted a spokes-man for the franchise this week.

Among the Sunday afternoon customers was London-based video producer Jake Lanning who missed out on his cappuccino.

He said he could hardly believe it when he was told he could only have black or a milk-free beverage.

“I pointed to the open Waitrose opposite and asked had it occurred to anybody to go and buy some for the convenience of their customers,” he said. “The barista looked like I had not been the first to ask the question.”

Stewart Townley, assistant manager, at Bridport Costa Coffee said that as part of the franchise they were only allowed to buy their milk from Countrylife in Weymouth.

But he said customers were offered soya milk instead – a healthy option.

He also pointed out that it was only about an hour before their 5pm closing time.