Supermarkets throughout the region were forced to implement queuing systems to deal with demand after they reopened their doors following the Queen’s funeral.
Businesses and local services were closed on Monday as the majority of the nation came to a standstill to watch the proceedings in London and Windsor.
But many reopened their doors after the funeral procession had finished in the afternoon, leading to hundreds of people to scramble to their nearest shop for a stock up.
Some shops were only closed for just over half the day yet customers at several ASDA supermarkets in the North East had to queue to get into stores, with large tailbacks also forming to get into car parks.
Read more: The North East mourners who travelled to London for the Queen's funeral
One shopper at ASDA’s Stockton store likened the chaotic situation to something out of Supermarket Sweep, with shoppers rushing about akin to Boxing Day sales.
Elsewhere, people who had visited Bishop Auckland’s ASDA branch urged others to stay away. “If you coming to Asda at Bishop Auckland, I wouldn't bother if you can help it. It's worse than Xmas,” said one shopper.
Another person added: “Just gone past Asda (Bishop Auckland) and there’s a queue to get in the car park !!!!!!!”
Pictures shared with The Northern Echo by Incidents on Teesside & County Durham showed dozens of people flanked across several aisles while queuing for the check outs, with others forced to wait outside.
They said: “We would just like to give a big thankyou to ASDA staff today who this evening were presented with horrendous queues, trollies everywhere and shelves ransacked … despite all of this they still tried to do their job to the best of their ability.
“Clearly those above made the decision to open and some of the staff said they simply didn’t expect it. One said it was a small queue at quarter to 5 and then simply mobbed.”
And many people shared their frustrations with the chaos caused. One person posted: “I was going to go shopping today as I genuinely need to go for a big shop, but then realised the kind of conditions shop staff were going to have to deal with today. I'll go tomorrow.”
And another added: “Can't fathom how people can't make do with what they've got in for one day. (Unless you're needing baby formula, nappies, or have absolutely nothing in any of your cupboards or freezer, I'm sure people can find something edible for one day.)”
Read next:
How the North East paid tribute to the Queen in 49 sombre pictures
North East mum 'just can't believe it' after being invited to Queen's funeral service
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