SUPERMARKETS have begun filling shelves with chocolate eggs more than three months before Easter.

Tesco and Somerfield in the UK are accused of pressuring hard-up parents into spending more cash just days after splashing out for Christmas.

Customers furious at seeing egg promotions so far ahead of Easter Sunday on April 4 have launched a series of online attacks.

One raged: "We celebrated Jesus being born on December 25 and just days later we're being sold chocolate to celebrate Easter."

Another fumed: "If people have Easter eggs pushed into their face then they will believe they need them and will buy, buy, buy.

"I'm sure no one is naive enough to believe that the supermarkets 'simply sell people what they want'."

A Tesco spokesman said: "A small selection of Easter eggs are on sale in response to customer demand."

Religious leaders also attacked the move.

Bishop Jonathan Blake, who presided over Big Brother star Jade Goody's wedding just weeks before she died, said: "It always seems strange when the public finds Easter being merchandised so soon after Christmas has passed.

"Perhaps it's felt that given we're in a recession, putting the eggs on offer earlier gives parents a chance to plan ahead and maybe buy an egg early and put it aside.

"But I still think people will find it strange."

