Tesco has apologised after an NHS worker queuing for priority access at one of its Salisbury stores was looked down on for being from "just a GP practice".

A member of staff from Salisbury Medical Practice was left feeling "embarrassed", "humiliated" and "worthless", the surgery said, following the incident on Sunday morning.

The staff member had been queuing for priority shopping at the Tesco Metro store on Castle Street when a Tesco employee questioned why she wasn't wearing a lanyard or uniform.

Upon showing them a letter to prove she worked for the NHS, she was dismissed for working in "just a GP practice," the surgery said.

In a message posted on social media, the practice said: "As a GP Surgery, we have contact with over 95 per cent of the population. Our GPs, nurses and support staff are at the frontline with patients enquiries, home visits, processing prescriptions, urgent care etc.

"Not all NHS staff wear scrubs and we are encouraging staff to stay safe and not wear their lanyards outside of their workplace due to reports of these getting stolen.

"This particular member of staff is working extremely hard to provide lunch and much needed refreshments to all our clinicians and support staff to enable them to keep providing the best care they can in these challenging circumstances.

"As you are aware, Salisbury Medical Practice is one of the largest GP practices in Salisbury so we are asking to please accept a letter from our Practice Manager as appropriate ID for our staff members.

"Rest assure we will not discriminate against ANY of your staff come to us for care."

A spokesperson from Tesco said the store manager has apologised to the member of staff.

In a statement, the firm said: “We are very sorry to hear about this. We want everyone to feel welcome in our stores.

"The manager of our Salisbury Metro store has contacted the GP practice to speak to the staff member and personally apologise. We know how hard all NHS staff are working at the moment in many different roles and we want to thank them for everything they’re doing.”