An investigation has been launched after a blind woman was allegedly seconds away from being hit by a delivery vehicle outside Tesco.

Former Labour MP candidate, Emily Brothers, said the incident happened last Tuesday, September 26, outside Tesco Express on Angel Hill in Sutton.

Ms Brothers was with her guide dog, Truffle, on the pavement at the entrance point to Tesco's forecourt when "mayhem broke out".

"Suddenly there was a lot of shouting," Ms Brothers told Sutton Guardian. "I could hear a vehicle moving towards me. If it had not been for some of the people that intervened I probably would have been mowed down.

"It was very scary because being blind and having bad hearing I didn't know where the noise was coming from. I was ok but a bit shaken."

One witness, Emily Moore, 23, said the vehicle was reversing into the "really right space" at the front of the shop as Emily stood on the pavement.

"Me and another man ran over to help. I shouted at the driver to stop. The driver wasn't paying enough attention.

"I heard a couple of members of staff say that this had happened before where someone else was almost hit by the driver."

Emily added that she approached the driver who refused to give details.

Tesco confirmed that it was a PLC Transport vehicle involved and the delivery company has since launched an investigation.

Ms Brothers added: "I am concerned for my ongoing safety and for other local people because clearly there is a problem with delivery vehicles on the site which needs to be reviewed."

Approached about the incident, a Tesco spokesman said: "We were very sorry to hear about this incident and the distress that it caused.

“Our colleagues in store supported Ms Brothers following the incident and promptly informed PCL Transport, the delivery company whose drivers was involved. They are now carrying out a full investigation into what happened.”

Ms Brothers acknowledged the people who assisted her.

She said: "I certainly want to thank Emily and the other people for their assistance. They put themselves in harms way. They were very supportive in making sure me and my dog were ok."