A BUSY Winchester petrol station and shop has been forced to close this afternoon following an electrical fault.

Firefighters were called to Tesco Express in Andover Road after customers and staff reported a bad smell.

It turned out to be an electrical fault, believed to be caused by a fuse.

Tommi Petrova, deputy manager, said: "There was no actual fire. We have had to turn off the power until someone can come out and check it over."

Shop worker Kay Sheppard said: "We could be open in the next hour, we could be closed until tomorrow, it all depends on when the electricians come."

She said if the store is still closed tomorrow it could risk losing all it's frozen and chilled stock.

The petrol station and shop remains cordoned off.