Supermarkets including Tesco, Ocado and Marks and Spencer have disclosed the exact dates when their Christmas delivery and click and collect slots will become available.

Home delivery is a handy and sometimes essential method for households to receive their weekly food shop. However, securing a delivery slot during the festive season can be competitive - hence it's beneficial to be prepared and know precisely when they open.

If you're a frequent home delivery shopper, you could typically save money by subscribing to a delivery pass scheme. These shoppers usually get early access to delivery slots during the Christmas period.

For those subscribed to an Anytime Delivery Saver plan or Click and Collect plan, Christmas delivery slots will be available from 6am on 4 November. The Anytime Delivery Saver costs £7.99 a month for six months at Tesco, or £6.99 a month for 12 months.

The Click and Collect plan is £2.49 a month for six months.

Christmas delivery slots for all other customers, including those with an Off-peak Delivery Saver plan, will be open from 6am on 11 November. The Off-peak plan costs £4.99 a month for six months, or £3.99 a month for 12 months.

M&S launched its Christmas Food to Order service, which allows you to order your festive shop online to collect at your nearest store, on 23 September.

You must place a deposit of £50 to secure your items, which can be collected between 22 to 24 December. M&S only offers home delivery through Ocado.

Ocado has already opened its Christmas week delivery slots for its Smart Pass customers. To secure a slot, you must spend a minimum of £90.

However, it has not yet disclosed when other customers will have access to Christmas slots. Ocado Smart Pass prices vary, with the Midweek pass costing £3.99 for one month and the Anytime pass costing £8.99 for one month.

Sainsbury's has not yet announced when its Christmas delivery slots will open, but its service costs £7.50 a month for an Anytime pass, £43 for a six-month pass, or £80 for a 12-month pass.

For a midweek pass, which is for deliveries Tuesday to Thursday, the price is £4 a month or £40 for a 12-month pass.

Asda has not yet announced when its Christmas delivery slots. It costs £6.95 a month if you sign up for 12 months for an Anytime pass at Asda, or £7.95 a month if you sign up for 12 months.

You can also make a one-off payment of £69.50 for a 12-month Anytime pass, or £40 for six months. For a midweek pass, which is for deliveries Tuesday to Thursday, the price is £4.50 a month if you commit for six months, or £3.95 a month if you sign up for 12 months.

There is also a one-off payment option of £22 for six months, or £39.50 for 12 months.

Morrisons has yet to announce when its Christmas delivery slots will become available. The cost for an Anytime pass at Morrisons is £8 per month, £45 for a six-month pass, or £70 for a 12-month pass.

For a midweek pass, which covers deliveries from Tuesday to Thursday, the price is £5 a month, £25 for a six-month pass, or £40 for a 12-month pass.