Tesco customers have been left furious after having to wait hours in a virtual queue to secure a Christmas delivery slot.

TESCO is warning customers that it's almost sold out of Christmas delivery slots - a day before they are released. A message on the supermarket's website says it now has 'very few slots left' for. Tesco have spoken out following a surge in demand from online shoppers for their Christmas delivery slots. The supermarket chain released the delivery slots for groceries at 7am this morning.

This morning the supermarket released slots for the week starting 21 December - but only to their delivery saver customers who pay a subscription fee.

But after waking up to log on at 7am, many complained they had still not been given a slot after two-and-a-half hours of waiting.

One person posted on Twitter: 'What an absolute joke. Been a delivery customer for years, have delivery saver.

Almost two and a half hours waiting and still in the queue 😡

— Sonia Bradley (@50N1ABR4DL3Y) November 13, 2020

'Went on at 6.45am. Been in the queue for two hours and 20 minutes. What is happening? Should I just shop elsewhere this Christmas?'

Another user posted: 'Been waiting 2.5 hours now (since 6.59) in a queue for Christmas slot. What's happening? Am I lost in cyber hell somewhere?'

Customers were faced with a message that read: 'You are currently in a queue - we'll put you through as soon as we can.'

On its Twitter page, the supermarket posted: 'A lot of customers are using our website and app at the moment. So we're temporarily using a virtual waiting room to help manage the flow.

'We're sorry if things take a bit longer than usual.'

Anyone else still in the online Tesco queue for a Christmas slot?! #tescopic.twitter.com/f4qKOrng2l

Xmas Delivery Slots Tesco Contact

— SEN Resources Blog (@senresourceblog) November 13, 2020

While some were given slots after a long wait, others were unsuccessful and forced to shop for their Christmas dinner supplies elsewhere.

Those who did manage to book complained festive essentials like turkeys were not yet available.

There was also no mention of people on the government's vulnerable list, who are entitled to priority delivery slots because of coronavirus.

@Tesco been waiting 2.5 hours now (since 6.59) in a queue for Christmas slot. What's happening? Am I lost in cyber hell somewhere?

— annie (@annie6724) November 13, 2020

A Tesco spokesman said: 'Demand for online slots over the festive period is high, and we have more slots this Christmas than ever before.

'We are experiencing high volumes of traffic to our website and groceries app and are temporarily limiting the number of customers using it.'

They apologised for the inconvenience and claimed home delivery and click and collect slots are still available for the Christmas period.

© Provided by The i Tesco will pay back millions (Photo: Getty)

The Covid-19 pandemic means more people than ever are relying on home delivery for their food shopping.

And with the news that up to three households will be allowed to gather over the festive period, many families are now preparing for their Christmas food shop.

© Provided by The i Asda's delivery slots are live (Photo: Getty)

Most supermarkets have already opened their Christmas delivery slots, allowing you to rest easy knowing your turkey is on the way.

© Provided by The i Slots at Sainsbury's will be released from 29 November (Photo: Getty)

Here are the latest updates for all the major chains…

Tesco

Tesco’s Christmas delivery slots opened on 13 November for people on its delivery saver scheme, and are now available to everyone.

Deliveries cost between £4.50 and £5.50, or you can choose to click and collect for £1.50.

Xmas Delivery Slots Tesco Slots

There is a £4 surcharge for deliveries under £40 and click and collect orders worth less than £25.

Asda

© Provided by The i Asda’s delivery slots are live (Photo: Getty)

Asda’s delivery slots are now online and available to book.

Some dates and times are fully booked, depending on your location, but if this is the case you should still be able to select the click and collect option.

Delivery costs between £3 and £5.50, depending on when you want your order to come.

There is a £3 surcharge for delivery orders of less than £40 and click and collect orders of less than £25.

Morrisons

Morrisons’ Christmas delivery slots opened on 25 November, and you can book for any date from 20-24 December, subject to availability.

Delivery costs between £2 and £7, depending on when you want your food to arrive.

Amazon Prime customers can get free delivery of they order their Morrisons shop through Amazon’s site.

Sainsbury’s

© Provided by The i Slots at Sainsbury’s will be released from 29 November (Photo: Getty)

Sainsbury’s schedule is as follows:

• For delivery on 20 December, slots can be booked from 29 November
• For delivery on 21 December, slots can be booked from 30 November
• For delivery on 22 December, slots can be booked from 1 December
• For delivery on 23 December, slots can be booked from 2 December

Sainsbury’s delivery pass holders will be given early access, which they should receive via email.

The supermarket charges £7 for delivery on orders under £40 and between 50p and £7 for orders over £40, depending on the slot.

There is a minimum order of £25. Click and collect is also available.

Waitrose

Waitrose’s Christmas delivery slots are now live on its website.

Delivery is free, but there is a minimum spend of £40. The same applies for click and collect orders.