TESCO and Marks and Spencer have come to the rescue of tired NHS staff fed up of seeing empty shelves.

Despite repeated pleas to shoppers to not stockpile, shift workers have reported they are still finding it difficult to get what they need.

As a result, NHS staff will now be allowed to shop before anybody else on Sundays.

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In a statement, Tesco said: "We know that those working for the NHS may be finding it hard to find time to shop for their groceries at the moment. 

"So, from this Sunday, we’re going to introduce a special hour in stores for NHS staff as a thank you for all they are doing. 

"They can come to our large stores one hour before the usual store opening time every Sunday, and will be able to browse the store and select their shopping before the checkouts open. 

"All we ask is that they bring a form of ID with them to store, such as an NHS staff card.

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"We will be asking all other customers to be respectful of this and to shop during the usual Sunday opening hours."

In a move to make sure those at the frontline of the fight against coronavirus get what they need, Marks and Spencer are also only allowing NHS and emergency workers to shop for the first hour of trading on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Older and vulnerable customers can do the same on Mondays and Thursdays.

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You can check store opening times here. 

This doesn't apply to stores in petrol and railway stations