SUPERMARKET giant Asda has hit back against claims that social distancing measures are not in place at its Middlebrook store.

Sunday shoppers at the site in Horwich were surprised to see no queuing system outside the large store, and some felt that the store was too busy to allow proper social distancing.

The chain moved to reassure customers concerned about covid-19, saying that all protective measures remained in place.

An Asda spokesperson said: “We have rolled out an extensive number of social distancing measures in all of our Horwich store to help ensure that our customers and colleagues remain safe.

"We ask that our customers please continue to follow the guidance which is clearly marked at our stores.

"We continue to follow Public Health England’s guidelines to protect our customers and colleagues including different social distancing measures such as limiting the amount of people in store at any one time, two-metre markers, barriers at tills and other key points around the store amongst other measures.’’

The number of people allowed inside each store is calculated based on the store's size, and includes staff.

Workers at each store are also able to admit fewer people than the maximum allowed, and the Middlebrook site consistently aims to have a significantly lower number of customers in store at one time.

The store did not reach capacity at any point on Sunday, so there was no need for staff to ask people to queue outside.