As a late-night worker and A23 commuter I was looking forward to the opening of the 24-hour Marks & Spencer food store at Pyecombe.

Knowing and trusting M&S for its ethically-sourced, quality food I pulled in tired and hungry to pick up something for tea the other evening.

Four shop assistants were busy, one of whom was emptying the shelves of the day’s stock. As it was only 7.30pm, I asked him if the stock was going on the “reduced shelf” hoping for a bargain.

“No”, he replied, “It’s going in the bin out the back.”

I pointed out that it was only 7.30pm and, at a 24-hour shop, surely goods can stay on the shelf until midnight when they would, indeed, become out of date.

Another assistant said: “We have to spray it with blue stuff so no one can take it from the bins.”

I was shocked at this waste of good food that was still in-date. I asked if I could have it at half price but they refused. No wonder the price of food is so high with food ending up in bins before hungry consumers can get to the shop.

Annastazia-Jo Maynard Lansdowne Place Hove