Customers rage at Pret cheese and pickle baguette which costs £7.15 for one item

Pret a Manger describes one of its sandwiches as a "Posh Cheddar and Pickle Baguette" - but Brits are outraged as they claimed they were taking the "posh" part a little too literally with the high price.

The cafe chain is the target of social media outrage after it emerged one of its sandwiches was selling for a whopping £7.15 if you wanted to eat it in the restaurant.

The cost falls by more than 20 percent to £5.72 for anyone signed up to the £30-a-month Club Pret membership, or £5.95 if you buy it to go.

The sandwich contains mature cheddar, chunky Pret pickle, roasted tomatoes, sliced red onion, free-range mayo, and mustard cress all served in a stone-baked baguette.

The price was spotted and shared by journalist Sophie Gallagher, who said she was "fully tipped over the edge" by the label.

She wrote: "What the f*** is happening here."

And added: "I want it to own a country estate for that money."

One commenter responded: "I deliberately didn't buy this baguette yesterday when I seen the price... nearly fell over with shock! Opted for the cheaper sandwich but still felt mugged off."

Another said "people must be mad" if they pay those prices, arguing he could do a "far superior" job at home.

While a third said they "used to absolutely love Pret but I agree the prices for their food now is wild and ulike no other! You can spend at least £20 on one sandwich and a drink, it's actually outrageous."

The baguette is understood to have been at the High Street Kensington branch, where  prices are higher due to operational costs.

A Pret A Manger spokesperson said: "In a typical London shop, the takeaway price for our Posh Cheddar Baguette is £4.99.

"Prices of our products are typically higher at train stations or transport hubs, due to higher operational costs, and like all food-to-go retailers, dine-in prices are subject to 20 percent VAT, as is the case with the price quoted here for our Posh Cheddar Baguette. 

"The vast majority (87 percent) of our sales in the UK are for takeaway, so most customers are not subject to the additional 20 percent VAT.

"Like all businesses, we are facing intense cost pressures, which we are trying to absorb as much as possible. We continue to offer great value for high-quality, freshly made food and organic coffees, alongside a dedicated value range of sandwiches, Made Simple.

"We also recently doubled the Club Pret discount to help customers save even more, so subscribers now enjoy 20% off everything in shop and up to five barista-prepared drinks per day for £30 per month."