Lines of barren shelves have been pictured at two supermarkets in the Bristol area as people seemingly stockpile essentials after the coronavirus outbreak enters its second phase.
A customer at Waitrose in Keynsham sent Bristol Live photographs of half a dozen empty racks where toilet roll is normally on offer.
And someone else posted on Twitter showing Asda in Cribbs Causeway has sold out of 'soap of any type flour, sugar, pasta, paracetamol, ibuprofen and cooking oil'.
The images have appeared as the number of Covid-19 cases in the UK has doubled in just two days.
Some 116 people have tested positive, including 105 in England -15 in the South West, two in Wales, six in Scotland and three in Northern Ireland.
Just two days ago there were 51 UK cases.
Globally, there are now over 90,000 confirmed cases and the death toll has surpassed 3,000.
England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty says the second "delay phase" of tackling the virus has now been entered.
This means measures could soon be ramped up to delay its spread.
Possibilities include school closures, encouraging greater home working, and reducing the number of large-scale gatherings.
However, Prof Whitty said closing schools would possibly only have a "marginal effect", adding that children do not appear to be as badly affected by Covid-19 as other groups.
Bristol City Council has issued fresh advise amid coronavirus fears , saying: "You can help yourself and others by:
- Washing your hands frequently and using hand gel
- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Using a handkerchief or tissue and disposing of it carefully."
Have you spotted empty supermarket shelves or are you stockpiling? Email emma.grimshaw@reachplc.com
