RUMOURS that Waitrose are going to cut their popular free tea and coffee scheme have been quashed by head office staff.

A complimentary cappuccino or latte while shopping has become one of life’s little treats for loyal customers doing their shopping in Waitrose.

However, rumours have started circulating that the retailer was going to tighten up its free coffee policy to reduce overcrowding in its cafés and deter those abusing the system.

When it was introduced in 2011, shoppers who held a My Waitrose card were entitled to help themselves to a hot drink at self-service stations in-store as they shopped.

They were also allowed to pick one up at the cafe.

But in 2013 the supermarket chain received complaints from regulars who claimed that the store was attracting customers who were abusing the free drinks policy.

Now many customers are wondering if the scheme is going to be cut altogether, allowing no-one their free tea or coffee.

A Waitrose spokesman said this was not the case.

"A complimentary tea or coffee while shopping with us is one of our ways of saying thank you to our customers," she said.

"Most people who have their myWaitrose free drink in the café understand that they should buy something from the café to have with their tea or coffee, and so we are simply confirming that.

"MyWaitrose members who would like to drink their free tea or coffee in the café will also need to buy something, in the café such as a sandwich, cake or piece of fruit to go with their drink. Customers can still buy a drink in the café too.

"Of course myWaitrose customers can still get their free hot drink from the self serve machines whilst they are shopping with us."