ABOUT 2,500 workers at supermarket chain Tesco head offices swapped their desks for the shop floor yesterday to help out in the run-up to Christmas.

Sir Terry Leahy, the chain's chief executive, was among those stacking shelves and manning the tills.

Tesco's head offices in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, and Welwyn Garden City, virtually shut down as buyers and accountants switched roles.

Board members agreed to lend their weight to what Tesco has called Operation Helping Hands.

Apart from Sir Terry, other bosses pitching in at Tesco's 100 busiest stores included retail director David Potts and marketing director Tim Mason.

Mr Potts said: "Christmas is the end product of months of preparation for us, but on the shop floor is where our customers see the results."