‘No risk’ to supplies say paper chiefs

BAFFLED toilet paper makers last night urged shoppers to stop stockpiling as the country “won’t and can’t” run out.

Some online sellers were making as much as £100 for just 72 rolls as shelves were left bare.

But bosses at Britain’s biggest bog roll-making factory, Essity’s Trafford Mill in Manchester, are scratching their heads at the pandemonium.

Operations boss Allan Hughes said: “We’ve got loads and loads and loads of loo rolls. We won’t run out, we can’t run out.”

Gareth Lucy, communications chief for Essity, which produces brands including Cushelle and Lotus, added: “Yes, we’re supplying more than usual. But we are well geared up for it. We have a massive stockpile.”

In Hackney bizarre pictures showed a toilet roll secured by a chain in a public loo at London Fields with a note saying there had been “a significant increase in theft”.

Iceland stores in West Belfast and Thanet, Kent, were praised yesterday for opening an hour early to let elderly shoppers get supplies first. Other supermarkets have introduced purchase limits on popular products.

A trawl of ebay last night found one seller had made £99.90 for 72 rolls of Andrex, which should cost just £27.

Another UK seller had raked in more than £1,000 since Saturday flogging 45 Andrex rolls at £50 a pop.

Other brands were offering bizarre alternatives to goods flying off the shelves. Lingerie firm Ann Summers put its Penis Pasta on offer at three packs for the price of two.