The WalMart-owned UK supermarket group Asda is to open a new 'food only' store in London, selling hot takeaway food alongside normal groceries.

Rival UK supermarket chains have already moved back into city and town centres, with Tesco operating their 'Metro' chain and Sainsbury's opening 'Local' stores.

The Asda store will not stock any of the 'George' clothing range or any other non-food goods.

But customers will be able to buy hot pizzas, baked potatoes and cups of tea and coffee, along with their normal food shopping.

"[The new store] illustrates that we can flex formats and develop stores to meet the needs of every community," said Asda chief operating officer Tony DeNunzio.

Asda also said that it would be investing £114m in refurbishing and extending stores in the London area.