THE Labour Party called on advertising firms and workers to offer their services on a pro-bono basis today.

The party said that a national campaign against panic-buying should be started and the advertising industry could lend its skills and  expertise to support the project.

Labour said that those who usually encourage consumers to part with their cash should change tack and warn of the wider implications of stockpiling during the pandemic.

Shoppers are regularly clearing supermarkets of essentials and long-life items faster than shelves can be replenished.

This is leading to vulnerable groups and front-line NHS staff fighting the spread of Covid-19 being unable to buy food and supplies.

People are also finding it difficult to buy baby milk, non-prescription drugs and food for people with allergies and special dietary requirements.

In a statement on Saturday, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Secretary George Eustice asked shoppers to be responsible and to think of others.

Labour said that the public is not heeding the message and that the government should have planned a campaign similar in scale to the £46 million “Brexit readiness campaign” that was subsequently delayed.

Shadow Defra secretary Luke Pollard said that ministers have “not reacted fast enough or far enough.

“Panic-buying is causing real harm to vulnerable groups and creating anxiety amongst all.

“Those who specialise in persuading us to buy products now have the opportunity to save lives with their work,” he said.

Labour is calling on ad workers  and firms to design TV, billboard, newspaper and digital campaigns to encourage people to stay home, “shop sensibly” and practice social distancing.

The party is also urging advertisers to divert budgets to put out health and safety messages.

Advertising and marketing workers are being asked to share designs without copyright but with attribution on social media using hashtags #covid19advert and #dontshoptillyoudrop.