Sainsbury's stores in London and the south east have been threatened with more and more empty shelves with lorry drivers at a Dartford distribution centre moving towards strike action.

Amidst a backdrop of national HGV driver shortages led by Brexit, around 200 drivers at the north Kent site have indicated their willingness to strike, which would leave Sainsbury's stores in the south east without key deliveries.

A spokesperson for the DHL Supply Chain said they were "disappointed" at the prospect of further industrial action at the Dartford depot, but that further talks are scheduled to reach a satisfactory outcome.

Unite said a preliminary ballot of staff at the DHL site in Dartford, which supplies of the supermarket giant's stores across London and the south east, saw workers indicate a willingness to strike.

The HGV drivers employed by DHL were offered a one percent pay offer by the logistics company, and a ballot of 200 of the employees saw a 98% vote in favour of industrial action.

News Shopper: Brexit has already caused major disruption to the supply chainBrexit has already caused major disruption to the supply chain

DHL is contracted to run Sainsbury’s Dartford regional distribution centre, including driving and warehouse operations, but Brexit has led to supply shortages across the UK's supply chain.

Several companies are already experiencing empty shelves at stores across the country, with grocery giants Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and the Co-op reporting difficulties.

Sainsbury’s has already issued a statement explaining that it was trying to replenish stock, amid the HGV driver shortages: “We know there are some challenges with availability in some of our stores due to demand.

"We’re working to replenish stock as quickly as we can to ensure our customers can get what they need.”

Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: “National HGV driver shortages are all over the news, so how DHL thought it was going to get away with an insulting offer of a one per cent pay rise is beyond me.

“Our members have signalled that they are willing to take strike action and we will now be moving to opening a formal industrial action ballot.

“Unless Sainsbury’s and DHL, both of which run extremely healthy profit margins, get their acts together there will be empty shelves in Sainsbury’s stores across London and the South East of England.

“That possibility can be avoided by coming up with an offer that reflects the hard work and dedication shown by these drivers.”

A spokesperson for DHL Supply Chain said: “We are disappointed that Unite is referencing the possibility of future industrial action at our Dartford depot.

"Further pay talks are scheduled, where we are confident of reaching a satisfactory outcome for both parties.”