Supermarket shelves are empty after Christmas food was "looted" by manic last-minute shopping, customers have said.
Empty shelves were seen in Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury's as early as last night, while others found nothing there first thing in the morning.
People have been sharing their experiences online, while staff both in store and over social media do their best to track down the festive essentials people need.
"I just nipped to Waitrose, then Sainsbury’s - both shops have been looted. The shelves were empty! So it’s bin bags and bleach for Christmas lunch... again," one shopper tweeted.
Another added: "I must have missed the memo that advised customers to buy all they need for Christmas dinner before December 24."
Another simply shared a picture of empty shelves at Sainsbury's the caption: "SCENES #livexmasshop".
Problems started early, too, with people reporting bare shelves on the 23rd.
"Psst... @sainsburys it's two days before Christmas and I'd guess quite a big food buying day. Time to restock #nocamembert #nomarispiper #noroquefort #emptyshelves," one wrote.
Shoppers have also been snapped queueing just to get into stores, while others have shared shots of packed aisles and parking chaos.
But not quite everyone is having trouble.
One tweeted: "I went to Asda at 6am this morning to get my goodies and it was empty! Shelves full no queues!"
Another added: "5:30am Christmas Eve best time to do the Christmas Shop - Tesco virtually empty of shoppers, no kids - shelves re-stocked - absolute breeze!"
And amid it all, shoppers have praised staff.
One wrote: "Hats off to the lovely people who have made Christmas shopping easy for us today. Friendly, well organised staff @AldiUK @Tesco #HappyChristmas "
Another added: "Bless all your staff at @Tesco extra Bulwell. So patient and friendly during the usual Christmas Eve madness of dazed shoppers."
Another tweeted their sypmathy: "I feel for all the staff at Tesco, who have to make the whole store go from a state of 'it looks like it’s been ram-raided' to actually having stuff on the shelves again."
A Tesco spokesperson told the Sun : “Our availability and service levels are really strong this week and we continue to do our best to make sure our customers have a great Christmas.
"We have plenty of festive products in stock to ensure everyone gets what they want.”
A Sainsbury's spokesperson added: "We can reassure customers we’re well stocked for Christmas."
