Gemma Simms meets someone for whom those trips to the supermarket are anything but boring Jan Bennett has one big love in her life and it isn't a man. In fact, it isn't a person at all. The 35-year-old mum-of-three is totally obsessed with the Tesco supermarket in her home town of Banbury.

And she is so well known for her addiction, Jan is appearing on television tomorrow night to talk about why she loves the supermarket so much and why she practically lives there.

When I tried to phone Jan on several occasions to interview her, she wasn't in and I later found out she was in Tesco every time I'd phoned!

She told me: "It's just that the people who work there are so friendly. It's like a social club and I have been going there ever since it opened.

"I think I actually got addicted to the store about five years ago. I was heavily pregnant and the staff started having bets on what I would have and it took off from there."

Jan, a single parent, laughed: "I would go into mourning if it ever shut down!".

She goes to Tesco nearly every day with her mum Jeanette. Jeanette, 66, lives next door to Jan, so they meet up outside their houses with Jan's girls, Jeannie, five, Shannah, two, and Nisha, who is 17-months-old, and begin their shopping routine.

"Some of my friends think I'm a bit barmy but it's just down the road. We are part of the furniture and fittings. "I go first thing in the morning and see what's going on special offer and what's not selling well," said Jan - and they don't always go to buy food.

Sometimes it's just to have a coffee, other times it's to catch up with the members of staff. She said: "A lot of people we know work at Tesco and for us, it's like a day out where we catch up on all the gossip.

"Sometimes I go twice a day if I have forgotten something. I probably come home with £80 worth of food a week but it has only cost me £40 because I always get bargains."

Her big tip is to go shopping on a Sunday afternoon just before closing time to get all the best bargains.

She said: "I can get loaves of bread for 5p or 10p once they've been reduced, so I buy loads and freeze them or just give them to friends.

"I also go for the Buy One Get One Free bargains, especially for things like nappies, chicken and fish. I know my way around the aisles but when they decide to change the store around, it totally blows my head!"

On the documentary, Jan's mum Jeanette can be heard complimenting the store manager on his nice fresh skin and wavy hair, much to his amusement.

Andrew Lamb, store manager, said: "It's flattering to think they come here because of my wavy hair but I'm sure it's because of our good standards and the value we offer in our supermarket." Jan knows each member of staff by name or face - and her mum is even known as Mrs Tesco.

She also loves people-watching and has been known to spot the occasional shoplifter.

Jan said: "If it's an old lady I think she's probably made a mistake but if it's a gang, I just warn a member of staff."

But she doesn't think she is one of Britain's worst shoppers, although Jan admits that because she knows how much everything is, she'll always notice if something has been accidentally scanned twice and is quick to point out the mistake.

She loves bargain hunting of any kind, particularly at car boot sales.

"It's my hobby and I get an adrenaline buzz when I go to car boot sales. My whole house is a car boot and for people like me, it's a life saver when you're on a budget.

"I can smell a car boot sale from a mile away and one man's rubbish is another man's treasure," she added.

*Britain's Worst Shoppers is showing tomorrow on ITV at 9pm.

Story date: Thursday 18 February

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