Supermarkets across Kent have been forced to ration lettuces following a shortage from suppliers.

Stores including Tescos and Morrisons have put a restriction on lettuce buying for varieties such as Iceberg and Little Gem, allowing customers to buy no more than three each.

This comes as three of Tesco's popular lettuce products have become no longer available to buy online, meaning many shoppers have had to leaf lettuce out of their baskets completely.

Some broccoli and courgettes are also unavailable to buy on Tesco's website, and some stores are rationing broccoli sales.

A Tesco spokesman said: "Due to bad weather conditions in Spain, we are experiencing some availability issues, but are working with our suppliers to resolve them as quickly as possible."

Across Tesco stores in the UK, signs have popped up advising customers that no more than three of the lettuces can be bought and an apology for any inconvenience.

Tesco Express in Week Street, Maidstone, has a few empty spaces on its vegetable and salad shelves today and a sign giving an explanation for the gaps.

Sainsbury's has also been hit by the shortage and Iceberg Lettuces are not available to buy online, and signs are up in some stores apologising for the low level of lettuce available.

The Maidstone store, in Romney Place, had plenty of broccoli but no courgettes and the lettuce boxes were looking empty too.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: “Severe weather has affected crops, but we are working with our suppliers to maintain supply for our customers.”.

However, the veggie crisis is not just affecting lettuce lovers as supply problems are also hitting other favourites including broccoli, cabbage and courgettes.

During the winter months, around half of Europe's vegetables are supplied by Spain.

But after drought followed by flooding and freezing in southern Spain suppliers have been left short, leaving supermarkets here looking a bit bare.

A Morrisons spokesman said: "Our availability of broccoli and iceberg lettuce is good. However, other businesses are experiencing shortages and we have seen some bulk buying in our stores.

"We have therefore had a cap on sales of broccoli and iceberg lettuce to ensure we maintain good supplies for our regular customers. As you can imagine, most customers don't buy more than three broccoli at a time.".

Tenterden resident Tony Pearlman, 79, who went shopping in the town today said: "It was really difficult to get hold of veg. Waitrose and Tesco didn't have any spinach, courgettes or aubergines."

Stall holder Steve Moore of SJ Fruits is a third generation market trader and has a fruit and veg stall in Paddock Wood on Thursday and Tenterden on Friday, he said: "I've never known anything like this shortage [of vegetables]. Some vegetables are impossible to get hold of or they are really expensive.

"Aubergine, courgettes, rocket, iceberg lettuce, cucumber and broccoli are all in short supply."

The stall holder who buys veg locally and at Covent Garden added: "I would usually pay £8 for a box of aubergines at this time of year but now the price is £20.

"I do think thought farmers can exaggerate the lack of supplies to keep prices high though. There's a bit of a game of poker going on at the moment."