KFC in Erith has been accused of fowl play after a national chicken shortage closed hundreds of branches.

Employees at the fast-food restaurant in Manor Road were filmed apparently "smuggling" chicken in through the back door after "teething problems" with a new delivery service forced branches to shut when they ran out of food to serve.

KFC confirmed to News Shopper it was investigating the restaurant's behaviour after two employees allegedly took chicken from a Volvo into the store.

A video shows a pair carrying a large box of black bags through the fire door.

While it is not clear what was being carried, Danny Mercer, who recorded the footage, can be heard saying: "Smuggling chickens! Are you smuggling chickens? They're smuggling chickens.

"Look at them trying to act all shifty like it's just a box, there's nothing in it. They're smuggling chickens in a Volvo."

Mr Mercer said afterwards: "Turns out there has been a delivery problem nationwide for all KFC restaurants. But I guess the manager of KFC in Erith took it into his own hands to get chicken.

"I will never eat in KFC again."

More than 500 branches are still closed today (February 19) because of problems with KFC's new delivery service.

Only a couple of hundred of KFC's 900-plus stores have managed to operate, including the Erith branch.

Video by Danny Mercer 

KFC said in a statement about the national problems: "We've brought a new delivery partner onboard, but they've had a couple of teething problems - getting fresh chicken out to 900 restaurants across the country is pretty complex.

"We won't compromise on quality, so no deliveries has meant some of our restaurants are closed and others are operating a limited menu or shortened hours."

Speaking about the Erith store, a spokesman for KFC told News Shopper: "We’ve closed several of our restaurants because we won’t compromise the quality of our food, and it also goes without saying that food safety remains our top priority.

"When it comes to the safe handling and transport of food, we have strict policies in place, so we’re investigating this urgently and will take any necessary steps."