A 10-MONTH-OLD BABY was inches away from being injured when the ceiling collapsed in a Tesco store.

Despite the baby being safe, the falling debris left a woman with knee and back injuries.

The baby's dad, Richard Murray, said: “My wife, Joanna, was in the queue with my daughter, Lara, and the roof missed her by inches, striking the woman in front on the back of her head and knocking her out.

“She was bleeding heavily.”

London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called at around 2.45pm to the Elmers End store and rushed the 29-year-old woman to hospital.

It is believed refurbishment work is being carried out and the ceiling was part of a makeshift fixture.

Another customer, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It fell on top of a poor lady and she could not move.

“I think they should have closed parts of the store off to avoid this happening. It is disgusting.”

Mr Murray added: “Why are they opening stores when work is going on.

“The whole place feels unsafe.”

LAS took the woman as a priority to Mayday Hospital in Croydon.

A second person was treated at the scene.

A Tesco spokesman confirmed the incident.

Further updates to follow.