A NATIONAL shortage of chicken means that the Newton Abbot branch of KFC remains closed today.

Poultry lovers have been getting in a flap on social media after a change in suppliers prompted closures and reduced menus across the country.

The popular fast food outlet on Queen Street – the only KFC in the whole of Teignbridge – is one of hundreds of shops to be affected by the blunder.

New delivery contractors DHL blamed ‘operational issues’ for their not-so-flying start. They took over operations from South African-owned Bidvest last week.

‘Due to operational issues, a number of deliveries in recent days have been incomplete or delayed,’ a spokesman for DHL said.

‘We are working with our partners, KFC and QSL, to rectify the situation as a priority and apologise for any inconvenience.’

A spokesman for the well-known chicken chain took to Twitter on Saturday to apologise and reassure hungry customers.

‘The chicken crossed the road, just not to our restaurants,’ they joked.

‘We won’t compromise on quality, so no deliveries has meant some of our restaurants are closed. Others are operating a limited menu or shortened hours.’

The Newton Abbot outlet was all but deserted this morning (Mon). There was no indication as to when fryers would be back in action.