MARKS & Spencer is charging more for everyday items - such as fruit and sandwiches - in their hospital shops, it has emerged.

The store has been accused of "cynical price hikes" that are hitting patients and visitors.

It comes after figures showed at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, a basket of 10 items added up to £27.25 - the same goods were £25.20 in a high street branch.

A range of groceries for sale at the M&S store in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary also came in at a higher price - a 650g bag of seedless easy peel oranges was on sale for £3 in the hospital shop, compared to £2.85 in the main store.

Other examples highlighted in The Sunday Post include a 300g block of mature red cheddar cheese, which cost £3.20 - 20p more than the high street price tag.

Rachel Power, chief executive of The Patients' Association, said: "Raising the prices of essential and everyday items in hospital outlets, well above what they would cost on the high street, is cynical and highly unfair. When people are unwell and in hospital, and therefore unable to go elsewhere with any ease, they should be able to expect retailers not to exploit their situation for profit".

A spokesman for Marks & Spencer said: "Our prices are a little higher in small Simply Food stores in hospitals and travel locations.

"This reflects the fact that running costs are higher in these stores compared to high street stores."

It comes after WH Smith last week apologised when it emerged that they were selling a tube of Colgate toothpaste for £7.99 in hospital outlets - compared to the £1 it could cost on the high street.

The retailer said it was due to a computer glitch that had been amended and the profits had been donated to charity.

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