Tesco has apologised after its website struggled to cope with demand from shoppers trying to book Christmas delivery slots.

The supermarket giant had to install an online queue system to help it manage the “high volumes of traffic”.

Tesco shoppers reported long waits when Christmas slots became available to its Delivery Saver customers earlier this month, and the supermarket has apologised that some may not be able to get the delivery time they want. Ocado has also sold out of slots already. Watch out if booking close to delivery date. White Blossom & Viburnum Villa August 2018. SSR, Aurora Villa May 2018. Kidani AKL, RPR Champion Florida Villa 2017, Staybridge Suites LBV, White Blossom & Owens Villa 2016 OKW, Champion Florida Villa & RPR 2016, Magic Landings 2015, Grand Reserve & HRH 2014, Tuscan Pines 2012, Highgrove 2009, Legacy Park 2007, Indian Point 2006 and 2005.

Shoppers on social media complained about the delay, saying they were being made to wait for hours.

Tesco tweeted in response to apologise “if things take a bit longer than usual”.

“A lot of customers are using our website and app at the moment,” it added.

Supermarkets have seen overwhelming demand for online delivery slots, with rival Ocado already running out of slots due to the spike, although more may be made available in early December.

A Tesco spokeswoman said: “Demand for online slots over the festive period is high, and we have more slots this Christmas than ever before.

“We experienced high volumes of traffic to our website and groceries app this morning and temporarily limited the number of customers using it.

“We’ve now removed the waiting room and customers will be able to log straight on.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience this caused and would like to reassure customers that there are still slots available for home delivery and click and collect over the Christmas period.”

26 November 2018, 15:43 Updated: 26 November 2018, 17:01

What are the Christmas delivery and collection cut-off dates for 2018? Check major supermarkets Xmas closing times including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Asda.

Thinking of your Christmas delivery already? Worried you'll miss the cut off time? Well, many major supermarkets are already allowing customers to book their delivery slots for Christmas 2018.

Here are all the delivery and collection cut-off dates for Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Asda.

Sainsbury's Christmas delivery times

Sainsbury's will open its delivery slots on Wednesday 28th November, giving customers the opportunity to get everything sorted three weeks ahead of Christmas.

You are able to update your basket until 11pm the date before delivery, however there are no deliveries on the 24th, 25th or 26th December, or the 1st Jan.

Tesco's Christmas delivery times

Online delivery slots will open for the 20th December on the 30th November. However, you'll have to wait until 4th December if you're hoping for your goods to arrive on the 24th - and even then there are only selected areas eligible for the service.

The full times are as follows:

For Thursday 20th December 2018 delivery - book on Thursday 30th November

For Friday 21st December 2018 delivery - book on Friday 1st December

For Saturday 22nd December 2018 delivery - book on Saturday 2nd December

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For Sunday 23rd December 2018 delivery - book on Sunday 3rd December

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For Monday 24th December 2018 delivery - book on Monday 4 December (specific areas only).

Between the 19th December and 3rd January, same dame delivery is not an option.

Marks & Spencer's Christmas delivery times

Whilst M&S don't do a delivery service, you are already able to place a click and collect order for M&S already - although the 23rd and 24th December are filling up fast.

The last option to do this is 15th December.

Morrisons Christmas delivery times

Morrisons' Christmas delivery slots are already available to book for delivery between 20th - 24th December.

Delivery Pass customers can also claim up to two free deliveries in this period.

You are able to edit your order once it's been placed, but the cut off for doing this is 24 hours before the delivery slot.

AsdaChristmas delivery times

Delivery and collection slots are already live.

The cut off for Food to Order delivery is December 16th, whilst the collect option stays available until 23rd December.

You are able to amend your orders as many times as you like, providing it's all confirmed by midnight before your allotted date.