Retailer Tesco has announced changes to its self-service checkout machines, which will see the voice they use changed.

It also means an end to the phrase 'unexpected item in the bagging area'.

The supermarket says some customers have described the current system as 'shouty' and 'irritating' - and putting them under pressure as they finish their shop.

Introduced in 2003, Tesco now has over 12,000 self-service checkouts in Ireland and the UK.

The new voice uses softer phrases and is more customer-friendly, Tesco says.

It says the changes have been made following feedback from customers.

As well as changing 'unexpected item in the bagging area' six other phrases - including 'please take your items' - have been removed, and 'Thank you for shopping at Tesco' has been added.

James Dewen, self-service checkout operations manager at Tesco said: "It's listened to by millions of customers every week, so we've acted on customer and colleague feedback and worked hard to get the new voice right to improve the shopping trip."

Judge the old and new voices below for yourself: