Tesco is increasing price of meal deals, the first in 10 years for Clubcard customers

For many, the Tesco meal deal is the height of culinary excellence.

Despite there being tons of options out there for us all now, the humble main, snack and drink combo has remained a stalwart of the lunchtime snack range.

But just like everything these days, nothing is sacred, and Tesco has announced it is hiking the price for customers.

Yep, for the first time in 10 years, Clubcard members will have to dig a little bit deeper for their sarnie, crisps and bottle of pop.

Phil Rees/Alamy

From 24 October, those of you out there who are savvy enough to have picked up a card will be left forking out £3.40 for your grub.

The rest of us, though, will be spending even more, with lunch now costing us a whopping £3.90.

A spokesperson for the supermarket said: "Clubcard members will pay just £3.40 for a main, snack and drink, making our meal deal an ideal way to grab a great value lunch on-the-go.

"And with savings of up to £3 on millions of possible combinations across our stores, including the recent addition of Costa hot drinks, and our ever-popular Christmas sandwiches which join the meal deal for the festive period, we’ve got something for every taste."

Islandstock/Alamy

One of those who will no doubt be taking notice of the price hike is Lizzie Proctor.

While at university, she became known as the 'meal deal queen', religiously buying the same one - chicken wrap, cheese and onion crisps and a Lucozade - every day from Tesco during her time as a student. Without fail.

All in all, Lizzie reckons she must have eaten hundreds during her time, forking out more than £3,000 in the process.

And to celebrate her love and adoration, she even got a tattoo of her favourite meal deal on her leg.

She told LADbible: "Every day, without skipping a day I ate a meal deal from the local Tesco... always southern fried chicken wrap, baked cheese and onion crisps and a Lucozade Sport.

"It was always the same. I just loved a good bargain especially whilst at uni. And this habit carried on into my adult life. I say this with a trusty Tesco meal deal to my side."

She added: "I basically have a few 'questionable' tattoos such as the pope holding coconut oil - 'popeanut' and I wanted to add to my weird collection."

@BeckyBagginsTattoo/Instagram

And it wasn't long before the folks at Tesco got wind of Lizzie's quirky body art and contacted her to say thanks.

Lizzie said: "After deciding to get the tattoo from another artist, I posted a photo of it online.

"My friends found it hilarious of course. And took it upon their own hands to tweet Tesco's to get their attention for this walking advertisement.

They replied to my friend asking for my Twitter and after they sent me a direct message asking me for my address to thank me by sending me a 'surprise'.

"A few days later a mystery box arrived. It was filled with crisps, biscuits and sweets, with a note from Tesco thanking me for my dedication and complementing the tattoo."

That's one way to show your support, I guess.