McDonalds has run out of milkshakes - the latest casualty in a string of businesses affected by supply chain issues.

Previously KFC and Nandos have reported shortages of chicken affecting menus.

Now the fast-food chain is the latest to announce that it has been hit by the crisis.

A spokesperson for McDonald's UK & Ireland said:

"Like most retailers, we are currently experiencing some supply chain issues, impacting the availability of a small number of products.

"Bottled drinks and milkshakes are temporarily unavailable in restaurants across England, Scotland and Wales.

"We apologise for any inconvenience and thank our customers for their continued patience. We are working hard to return these items to the menu as soon as possible."

A number of factors are causing supply problems. The Road Haulage Association has estimated there is a shortage of 100,000 HGV lorry drivers  in the UK.

Meanwhile, the meat processing industry is said to be so short of staff that it is lobbying Government to allow it to employ prisoners  to plug the gap.

McDonalds is still selling burgers and chips. But of course, a shortage of a different kind of chip - semiconductor chips has had a drastic impact on the electrical equipment supply chain - affecting everything from mobile phones and games consoles to car production.

And 'chippies' in the building industry have been coping with a shortage of timber which has seen prices for wood and other raw materials soar .