SELFISH shoppers pretended to be NHS workers in a bid to jump the queues at a Tesco store.

Customers tried to sneak past security staff during the special shopping hour for health employees at a Tesco Extra in Gallions Reach, east London.

One family argued with staff and rammed their trolleys into the barriers when refused entry.

Nurse Francesca Hamilton arrived at the store at 9am but left the 600-yard queue to help Tesco staff manage the crowds.

‘I am surprised people have tried to jump the queue. It’s unbelievable,’ said Ms Hamilton, 47. ‘Now is the time for people to look after us so that we can look after you, but they’re not listening.’

Ambulance driver Stacey Wyss, 32, praised the initiative but said: ‘There was still no pasta, no rice and no toilet roll.’ NHS workers have also raised concerns at lack of social distancing measures.