Ex-Asda worker 'filmed licking chicken'

Police are to investigate an allegation that an ex-Asda worker was caught on camera licking a raw chicken - then putting it back on the shelf, it emerged today.

He is also alleged to have urinated in a bin, played cricket and football with goods and poked a finger in the chicken, during antics apparently filmed by a co-worker on night shifts at the store in the Fulwood area of Preston, Lancashire.

A spokesman for Asda said: "We are absolutely disgusted and appalled by the behaviour of this man.

"Despite not working for us since April 2007, we now have video evidence of criminal damage and we have taken this matter up with the police."

Inspector Jameel Murtza, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "We are currently in the process of reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.

"We are liaising with the management at Asda with the aim of identifying any criminal offences that have taken place."

It is understood the man seen allegedly damaging stock worked at the supermarket between 2005 and 2007.

He is seen in the footage wearing Asda's distinctive green uniform as he lets off a fire extinguisher and gloats as the fire service respond to a false alarm at the supermarket.

The film was left anonymously in a brown envelope at the front desk of a local newspaper, which was then passed to Asda, who are now investigating the incident.

The former shop worker is alleged to have returned to the store in 2009 after leaving Asda's employment where he is first seen stamping on whole chickens out on display.

He then picks one out, tears off the plastic wrapping and licks the breast before placing the bird back on the shelf for an unsuspecting shopper to buy.