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Tesco is to axe 15,000 jobs and close meat, fish and deli counters across the country as part of a £1.5 billion cost-saving measure, according to reports.

Bakeries with the supermarket chain will also be overhauled with frozen instead of fresh dough reportedly being used meaning jobs for skilled bakers will be cut.

Reports claim staff canteens will also be replaced with vending machines in a slew of changes which will affect stores across the UK.

Tesco, Britain's biggest supermarket, has 732 stores with a typical shop having five fish mongers, five butchers, as well as six deli and cheese counter workers who now all face their jobs being axed.

Industry sources said the closures could result in the loss of up to 15,000 jobs.

(Image: Rex)

It's understood that counters in some Tesco Extra stores will open from Thursday to Sunday each week, but others will be closed or massively scaled back.

To date, chief executive Dave Lewis has axed more than 10,000 roles since joining the supermarket in 2014.

A source told the The Mail On Sunday: "Dave Lewis' attitude seems to be 'if in doubt, just close it' - but for elderly customers, or those on a budget, using the counters for a few slices of ham, those aren't the days they do their shopping."

Tesco is aiming to make £1.5 billion in cost savings by 2020.

The supermarket is the latest to make job cuts, joining rivals Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s in overhauling the structure of its stores.

(Image: Getty)

Lewis has attempted to match budget stores like Aldi and Lidl by opening new discount brand Jack's.

Staff are expected to be updated regarding the changes early next week with redundancy negotiations expected for those involved.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We’re always looking at ways to run our business more simply and efficiently. Whenever we make changes in our business, colleagues are always the first to know.”