THERE were long queues outside Lidl supermarket in Hereford this morning.

Dozens of people were outside waiting for the doors to open.

The car park at Morrisons was full too.

Inside there is plenty of food available, but supplies of pasta and other dried goods are low.

There is no toilet roll, and there has been a run on alcohol, with shelves stripped of beer.

There are few tinned goods.

One store employee said staff had been going in to work early, working extra hours, and doing all they can to ensure the shelves are as well stocked as possible.

The situation was similar at Belmont Tesco this morning, where Hereford Times Camera Club member Alan Hall snapped this shot of shoppers waiting in line to be let in.

Alan said shoppers were being let inside in small numbers as other shoppers left the supermarket.

Hereford Times community reporter Theresa Brandeberry said Ross-on-Wye was calm this morning.

"I went to Pengethley farm shop, which had fresh vegetables and plenty of bacon.

"Bailey's was busy but OK, and the Co-op had plenty of milk with a good date and was quiet."

Hereford Times: Photo: Alan HallPhoto: Alan Hall

What's it like where you are shopping? Please let us know so we can build a picture of the situation:

Email: www.herefordtimes.com
Facebook: @herefordtimes
Instagram: @herefordtimes
Twitter: @HTnewsroom

At a briefing yesterday, Environment Secretary George Eustice urged people to "be responsible" when shopping and to "think of others."

"Buying more than you need means others may be left without," he said.

Mr Eustice said that it was for retailers to agree what the appropriate limit was on goods such as toilet paper.

"All of the major retailers are working together and exercising their own judgment on where it's appropriate to put limits - item limits - on certain issues," he said.

"Toilet roll is one, where, for reasons that are not really known, there was a spike early on, despite the fact that toilet roll is made in this country and they are able to expand production very quickly.

Stores are also taking on thousands of temporary and permanent workers to deal with the increased demand from the Covid-19 crisis.

It is understood Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be speaking to the leading supermarket chains to see what the Government can do to ensure the shelves remain stocked and the supply chains can cope with the demand.