Sainsbury's shoppers are unable to make contactless payments and home deliveries have been cancelled as a technical glitch causes havoc for the supermarket giant today.

The chain has confirmed all stores, including those in Swindon and Wiltshire. are affected by the issue. 

Customers have experienced issues paying with contactless, paying online, ordering online and using their Nectar cards. 

Others who will have been waiting for their grocery orders to be delivered will also not be receiving anything. 

It is understood that the Sainsbury's in Bridgemead, West Swindon, is cash only with card payments unavailable. The scan and shop system and the cash machine are also not working. 

And the Stratton Sainsbury's is believed to be cash or chip and pin only. 

Staff at the Oxford Road store who were due to be delivery driving are also said to have been told to stand down as there will be no internet shopping deliveries from the store. 

A member of the public reported that the Chippenham store was also affected, with Nectar card payments and prices and contactless payments not working. 

A spokesperson said: "Due to an error with an overnight software update, we are experiencing issues with contactless payments. All of our stores are open as usual today, accepting chip and pin and cash payments.

"Unfortunately, this also means we will not be able to deliver the vast majority of today’s Groceries Online orders and we are currently unable to contact customers directly.

"Our online ordering system is working as normal and customers can place a new order now for delivery any time from tomorrow.

"We apologise to customers for the inconvenience and are working hard to fix the issue."

A variation of this statement was also posted onto the company's social media, which garnered a number of angry responses from shoppers. 

One person asked: "So we will not be charged and orders are all cancelled? Please give us clarity before we go elsewhere. Thank you."

To which a Sainsbury's spokesperson replied: "Unfortunately, due to the current technical issue, I'm unable to confirm this order will be cancelled."

Another member of the public asked what to do now, saying: "Are we supposed to put a new order in? I have an elderly housebound relative who is due a delivery today and will run out of food. Information please.

Sainsbury's response was: "Please book another order for delivery on Monday onwards. I'm sorry again for any inconvenience caused."