British spies are investigating fears Vladimir Putin was behind Gregg’s IT glitch that closed stores

SPOOKS yesterday investigated a technical issue that saw Greggs branches closed – amid fears Putin’s hackers had targeted our pies.

Pastry fans got hungry at breakfast when a Card payments were declined due to a computer glitchcausing shops to close.

Gregg was the fourth major company Facing IT problems within a week, causing internet fears for the Russian leader Vlad was behind the elimination.

But security officials who continuously monitor the activities of rogue states have ruled out foul play.

They said it was ‘strange’ that the IT failures had occurred close together, but that there were innocent reasons.

Customers had to pay by cash or order via the app at Greggs stores across the UK, including in Cardiff, London, Manchester and Birmingham.

A sign in a store in Lichfield, Staffs, read: “Due to IT issues we are unable to open. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

In the heart of the chain, Newcastle, Greggs fans said they would “rather starve” than go anywhere else.

Student Keely Hurst, 22, said: “There’s nothing like Greggs. There is a Costa next one door, but it’s not the same.”

Daisy Wood, 21, added: “There are always huge queues. This will upset a lot of people.”

Social media was flooded with fans reporting that their local store had been affected – and wags laugh.

Dominic Dyer said: “If the Russian hackers get Greggs, we will be in real crisis.”

I work at Greggs and there are so many perks including free coffee and steak bake lunches

Ricky Travis added: “There will be a Cobra meeting at Number 10 shortly. It is expected that the Prime Minister will declare a state of emergency.”

Rachel Dailey wrote: ‘Greggs has fallen, they have come for the North. LIGHT THE BEAONS.”

Richard Glynn posted get it of two sausage rolls and said: “I accept serious offers. No time wasters please.”

The problem came after a series of others retail giants have suffered from IT problems in recent days.

Sainsbury’s shoppers were unable to make contactless payments this weekend, meaning thousands of online deliveries were also affected.

Greggs, which has 2,450 stores, said the problem had been resolved later in the morning and apologised.

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