As Christmas Day approaches, people have made their last minute trips to stores across Greater Manchester to collect their turkeys, hoard their veg and stockpile their cheese.
From supermarkets to butchers, and everything in between, swathes of people have been out collecting their orders, with queues snaking around street corners, eager to get ahead of the Christmas Eve rush.
In Hulme, cars honked their horns on approach into the massive car park at Asda, which took at least 15 minutes of queuing just to get into, despite there being plenty of space.
READ MORE:
Inside was a different story - though it was busy - it was bearable, and customers were not left waiting too long. And for plenty of lucky last-minute shoppers, there was a whole host of turkeys left, along with booze, snacks, veg and cheese.
'It's a madhouse in there' are not the words anyone would want to hear whilst looking into an empty foyer where the trollies should be. Our reporter Lyell said he finds the ASDA next to the Etihad stadium intimidating enough at the best of times given its vast size, but even with all this room it was near enough a melee trying to get down the most popular aisles - booze and meat.
Getting out of here as quickly as he could, he could hear arguments between families with a trolley full of shopping about struggling to book a taxi.
It was a much calmer affair at the big Sainsbury's on Regent Road. There were queues in and out of here, but that's nothing new to anyone familiar with the area. There were plenty of trollies available and it wasn't uncomfortably busy inside, although many items, especially meat, did seem to be running quite low.
Tesco Extra Old Trafford was by far the worst for getting in and out of by car. Lyell picked a parking spot far away from the front to keep away from the congestion.
This was reflected inside where it was very busy, but very well stocked. There were staff holding signs saying 'here to help' and 'fast checkout here' obviously anticipating a very busy day. One of the trolley escalators broke down which was far from ideal for many but the longest waits came exiting the car park.
Lyell's spot away from the front came in very handy here as he could go around the congestion to get out, but he said he did feel sympathy walking past the queues of standstill traffic for those nearer the entrance.
Our reporter Louisa Gregson also ventured out, this time to Tesco in Prestwich. There, huge queues snaked round the store, but most of the congestion was contained at the self serve tills. One person declared “it’s pandemonium” while another stood looking upwards, eyes rolling in despair.
More queues are expected across the region on Christmas Eve as it's the last chance to get stocked up on fresh food supplies before the festive holidays. Just don't say you weren't warned.
Read more of today's headlines here
READ NEXT:
- Salford Royal and three other hospitals told to improve as A&E 'overcrowded' and nurses feel 'unsafe'
- Gran at head of family drug ring died after homeowner stabbed her when she stormed his house in terrifying armed attack
- Man died after setting fire to armchair following long mental health and addiction battle
