Asda employee Lesley Dring demonstrates the scooter in action

The giant US-owned supermarket chain is to launch its enormous new store near Bristol on 24 July.

It is an extended and refurbished former Asda hypermarket next to the M5 motorway.

Managers decided to issue foot-powered scooters to "runners", whose job it is to travel around the 100,000 square foot shop floor to check prices or change products for customers waiting at the 46 checkouts.

Leg-up

One member of staff, Lesley Dring, who has used the machines, said: "We love them.

"They are just perfect for getting about the aisles and dramatically cut down the time for each query."

Asda customer services spokeswoman Sue Barnes said: "As far as I know they are the first in the country and they are working really well."

The Bristol superstore is the first in the UK since Wal-Mart took over Asda a year ago.

Asda says it will employ about 800 people, 250 more than worked in the previous store on the site.

Following numerous queries from customers, Asda says it has now decided to sell the scooters.

Priced at about �50 to �75, they are currently available at only the Bristol store.