A supermarket worker who looks after her grandchildren and sick husband is pleading with bosses not to move her to a night shift.

Lucianna Jean-Sonny travels from Newham to work two 7am to 3.30pm shifts at Sainsbury's O2 Centre superstore in Finchley Road.

The 65-year-old is the legal guardian of her two grandchildren, aged two and four, and her husband has dementia. 

But supermarket bosses have written to the grandmother suggesting she works four days a week from 4am to 8am handling online purchases.

To do this she would have to leave her home in Nine Acres Close, Manor Park, at 2am.

She said: "I can't do these hours, I can't leave the kids at that hour. My husband can't take them to nursery.

"Why would they want me to do these hours? It's not possible for me, it's impossible because of my situation.

"I've devoted myself to Sainsbury's for so long and now they are trying to force me out like this."

Shopper Linda Grove has launched a ”Save our Lucianna" petition, describing her as a "cog in Sainsbury's wheel".

She said: "Last year, Sainsburys made a profit of £145 million, so why are they harassing members of their long term staff, who have given such great service to the company and customers over many years?"

"Lucianna only has about two years of work left until her retirement, I implored Sainsburys to leave this lovely lady alone to earn her retirement in a respectful way.

"If Lucianna goes, many of us in the Lucianna fan club will skip along to Waitrose."

Freya Tewelde has signed the petition, saying Lucianna deserves to spend her remaining working years in a "respectful and accommodating environment".

She added: "The situation seems profoundly unfair, particularly in light of her many years of loyal service.

"It’s disheartening to witness how large corporations sometimes neglect the human element in their operations."

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, “We are speaking to a small proportion of colleagues at our Finchley Road Superstore about proposals we have shared to protect roles, while serving our customers better.

"We understand this could be an unsettling time for those involved and we are supporting them in any way we can.

"This includes individual consultation sessions, where we can discuss a colleague’s personal circumstances and how we may be able to help.”