Christmas shoppers were hitting Shropshire’s High Streets today as consumers scrambled to make their last-minute festive purchases.

Dubbed the busiest shopping day of the year, supermarkets and shopping centres were bracing themselves for a hectic day.

The rush came as drivers braved the freezing weather and dangerous road conditions today for the festive getaway.

Conditions were still treacherous with a section of the A5 at the Emstrey island in Shrewsbury closed from about 5.45pm to 7.30pm yesterday following three separate minor collisions on black ice.

The Christmas getaway was starting early with roads expected to be busy this afternoon with people leaving early to give themselves more time to get to their destination.

Shropshire supermarkets and shopping centres were today seeing a mix of those panic-buying to cope with the weather and those stocking up on Christmas goodies.

Business was extremely brisk at Asda in Donnington yesterday and shelves stayed well stocked.

Melanie Fraser, from Priorslee, who was shopping with her husband Tom said she had spent just under £300 but also had more shopping to do before Christmas Day.

“We stocked up for Christmas and in case the snow gets any worse over the next week,” said Melanie.

“I have bought extra supplies of bread and milk which I can freeze and we have a young son so I have also bought extra nappies for him.”

Nicholas Pitt, manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres in Shrewsbury, said extra security staff and cleaners would be working today.

He said: “It will certainly be one of the busiest days of the year and we are planning for bumper crowds.”

The weather has also led to a police warning after thieves stole a £15,000 vehicle from the drive of a Telford home after the owner left it running to defrost and went back inside.

The black Nissan Qashqui, registration BJ10 XTX, was stolen from Fuchsia Close in Priorslee between 8.10am and 8.20am yesterday.

Anyone with information should call Telford police on 0300 333 3000.