Shoppers in England are flocking to make last-minute buys ahead of lockdown, which will see non-essential retailers shut for a month.

The number of shoppers on Tuesday was up 19.1% compared with the same day last week, industry figures show.

Footfall saw particularly large increases in shopping centres and retail parks, according to Springboard.

Coronavirus: Shoppers flock to stores as lockdown looms https://t.co/vxNEIyPfIU

— BBC Business (@BBCBusiness) November 4, 2020

It said that there had "clearly been panic buying" as people rush to buy Christmas presents before shops close.

It comes as social media users have reported lengthy queues outside stores such as Primark, Zara and The Card Factory.

Clothes shops and card retailers are among those non-essential retailers who will have to shut their doors for the month-long lockdown from Thursday 5 November.

Why why WHY am I in the queue for the primark in town like why am I doing this to myself ?????

— Fran williams (@frxnwilliams) November 4, 2020

last day before lockdown and i’m standing in a forty person queue outside Zara...

— . (@lidlbich) November 4, 2020

Retailers such as John Lewis, Currys PC World and toy chain the Entertainer have all extended their opening hours in order to cope with the surge in demand ahead of the new restrictions.

Cary Grant, boss of the Entertainer, told the BBC that it was "just like Christmas". His 173 shops are extending their hours until 7pm or 8pm from 5.30pm and expect brisk trading right up until Wednesday night.

Shopping centres in particular have seen a big rise in the number of customers through their doors, with a 19.9% increase on Tuesday. High Streets and retail parks followed with a 19.1% and 18.4% uplift.