The supermarket chain SPAR has been forced to close a number of stores following a cyber attack.

The supermarket chain SPAR has been forced to close a number of stores following a cyber attack.

An external spokesperson told Sky News that more than 300 stores had been affected by the incident, though some had avoided closing by switching to cash payments.

The spokesperson explained that the cyber attack had impacted all of the company's IT systems and left staff without access to emails.

"We are working to resolve this situation as quickly as possible," the company said in a statement.

"It is currently impacting stores' ability to process card payments meaning that a number of SPAR stores are currently closed to shoppers or only taking cash payments.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing our customers and we are working as quickly as possible to resolve the situation," the statement added.

A spokesperson for the UK's National Cyber Security Centre said the agency was aware of the situation.