A CHRISTMAS shopper has slammed Tesco after a Muslim worker refused to serve alcohol.

Lee Saunders, 35, queued up to purchase a bottle of rosé wine, some LED lights, and an Xbox FIFA 17 game for his son at a supermarket kiosk.

3 Lee Saunders claims he was refused booze by a Muslim Tesco cashier Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

But when he attempted to pay for the £55 goods, the female customer service assistant, who wore a headscarf, asked him to queue up at a different till.

The incident prompted a duty manager to step in and serve dad-of-three Lee.

Tesco later said the shop worker, aged in her early 20s, had not served him due to her "religious beliefs."

3 The dad said he was snubbed because of the cashier's "religious beliefs" Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

He said the food giant should not have put their employee in that position.

The tyre depot manager from Feltham, Middlesex, told The Sun: "I was a bit miffed and baffled by it.

"If you apply for a job surely you've got to be able to do everything within the boundaries of that job.

"The reason I was at that particular till by customer service was to get the disc for the game.

"I was just stocking up on a few bits for Christmas and picked up this £4 bottle of Echo Falls.

"But she asked me to queue up again.

"It should have been made clear if they can't serve you certain items.

"There were no warnings or signs.

"She apologised afterwards, but she's been put in that position. It's not entirely her fault to be fair."

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A duty manager scanned the items on her behalf at the superstore in Feltham, Middlesex, at about 1.30pm on December 13.

The retailer emailed Lee to say the woman was on a kiosk at his local store where alcohol is usually not sold.

David Upstone, a Tesco customer service executive to the board, said: "Our colleague in question requested upon starting not to serve alcohol on religious grounds.

"As an inclusive retailer we do all we can to meet each person's needs.

3 Tesco has apologised for to Lee over the incident in Feltham, Middlesex Credit: Alamy

"Our colleague works on the kiosk as alcohol is generally not purchased in this area.

"She is aware that you shouldn't have to queue again in the future if a similar situation occurs.

"She will request another colleague to come and serve."

A Tesco spokesman said: “We take a pragmatic approach if a colleague raises concerns about a job they have been asked to do.

"We apologise to our customer for any inconvenience on this occasion."

It comes after Tesco was accused of creating the worst Christmas Santa's grotto after charging £2 to visit a shelter made from bed sheets and a shopping trolley.

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