The front page on January 12, 1979, shows the extent of the lorry man's strike, which saw shops being wiped clean, with no new stock being delivered.

Wholesalers in Blackburn and Burnley reported they were running low on lines as shoppers raided their warehouses. Things that were in danger of running out were, sugar, salt, bacon, and fats.

Head buyer of the Blackburn branch of wholesalers Morris and Jones, said: "There are now 72-hour delays in some cases in filling orders.

"Canned vegetables, bacon, fats and sugar are all very short. And we have had a 60 per cent reduction in deliveries to us."

Blackburn Cooperative Society's chief executive, Mr Bill Evitts, said there was a particular problem over flour, canned vegetables, canned soups, coffee, canned meats, and cereals.

He said: "In the longer term, the problem will be with the food manufacturer who will be unable to produce because he is unable to produce because he is starved of raw material.

"Even if the strike was settled quickly it could take some little time before the position returns to normal."

The strikes did not apply to bread delivery, but earnings were due to increase.