A MAN has been pictured buying a huge supply of Pot Noodles for a foodbank as Asda’s purchasing limits are relaxed.

The snap, taken in the Brighton Marina supermarket on Thursday, shows the customer’s mammoth collection of the snack in his shopping trolley alongside pasta, sauces and canned tuna to help vulnerable people at foodbanks.

Purchasing limits were introduced amid the coronavirus outbreak.

However, Asda have now relaxed their purchasing limits after a fall-off in demand which has given the supermarket a chance to replenish its shelves.

Some purchasing limits remain in place.

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An Asda spokesman said: “We’ve put purchasing limits of a maximum of three items on certain handwashing and baby milk products in store and online so there’s enough for everyone.”

After the picture was sent to The Argus we contacted Asda but they did not confirm if it was a shopper buying for themselves or a foodbank.

Some people suggested the man in the picture may have been purchasing the items in bulk for a care home, hospital workers, or a food bank.

The shopper has now confirmed it was purchased for the foodbank.

In a comment on The Argus website he states: "This is one of six trolleys of food I purchased with money donated from the local Labour Party solidarity fund to provide food for Craven Vale Food Bank where during these difficult times we are providing food for over 70 local families.

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"Can I place on record my gratitude for the wonderful collaboration we have received from Darren and all the staff at Asda ."

Asda has also donated £5 million to foodbanks.

Staff jumped in to help him with the purchase, providing him with a separate trolley to carry the goods, according to witnesses.

Other supermarkets still have purchasing limits in place.

Aldi still had a limit of four items at the end of last week, but this is set to be lifted.

Morrisons is raising the amount of items that can be bought at any one time.

The previous number, three, is set to increase to four.

The company added that some limits on items will be removed completely to make it easier for people to donate to foodbanks. Tesco has a three items per customer rule with a maximum of 80 items per order.

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As some shelves begin to be restocked, new rules have been introduced across the major supermarkets in a bid to observe social distancing measures.

Asda are asking people to come alone to the store when it is possible to do so.

The company Tweeted: “Everyone in the UK is being asked by the government to shop sensibly and only when required.

"Where needed, we are limiting the total number of shoppers we allow into a store at any one time.”

Sainsbury’s customers are being told to queue outside while keeping a safe distance from each other.

Only one person per household will be allowed in store at a time, the supermarket chain stated. This is expected to help with social distancing as fewer people will need to be in the store.