Staff at a Tesco store at a seaside landmark have been forced to isolate after testing positive for Covid-19.

The workers at the site at Southend's Kursaal have been sent home - with bosses insisting safety is a top priority.

It comes after rumours of seven workers with the virus - but Tesco bosses were unable to confirm the exact number of cases at the store.

The UK has recorded a record 1,610 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, the highest total since the pandemic began.

The Government said another 1,610 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday, bringing the UK total to 91,470.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “A small number of colleagues at our Kursaal Express store are self-isolating after a colleague tested positive for Covid-19. The safety of our colleagues, customers and suppliers remains our number one priority and we are following all Government guidance and taking the relevant precautions.

"We have extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular cleaning.”