The chipmaker for Apple has warned shipments of the new iPhones could be delayed after its production line was hit by a computer virus.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which also produces the chips for other Apple devices, was forced to close down several of its factories over the weekend in order to recover from the virus outbreak that infected 80pc of its fabrication tools.

The sole maker of the iPhone’s main processor said that it had contained the problem and resumed  production, but admitted the incidents would delay shipments of the new iPhones, which are due to launch in September.