LEADER readers have had their say on whether they feel safe when shopping in Wrexham's supermarkets.

It comes after Plaid Cymru councillor Carrie Harper said she had been contacted by local staff who were concerned that social distancing and other coronavirus measures are not strict enough in stores.

She said measures were now more important than ever due to the rising number of cases in Wrexham county.

Readers made their feelings known on the Leader's Facebook page, with many saying that more needs to be done to keep customers and staff safe.

Susan Haynes said: "No, I don't feel safe - people get too close and some wearing no masks. I get very anxious when I have to go."

Jan Ette said: Well last week I popped into Asda, and in front of me was mum, dad, and two children with their massive iPads. I think they came for a day out. Need to go back to one person allowed in. Doesn't needed the whole family to buy a weekly food shop.

And yes no-one following the floor markings! I for one was happy to increase my steps and follow the guidance for everyone's safety. Its not difficult is it?"

Jackie Antaya said: "Everyone is impatient - leaning over each other/pushing past each other/picking things up - changing their minds - putting it back - absolutely NO CONCERN for the poor staff who all have families and responsibilities at home. Thousands of people through the door - yet they can’t see family and friends that they don’t live with."

Some said that rules that were being followed when they were introduced in March are now being flouted.

Kaye Murt said: "When it started back in march the numbers of customers was controlled - now its crazy. People treat it like a day out all the family in tow. It's not fair on the staff, what protection do they have? I do mine online now."

Donna Evans said: "The supermarkets need to only let so many in, like they did in the beginning. I don't like shopping. Anxiety hits the roof as people don't social distance."

Another issue, readers say, is people not following the guidance set out by the stores.

Of the supermarkets in town, readers praised Sainsburys and in particular Marks & Spencer for their efforts.

Nicola Yvonne Williams said: "Marks & Spencer’s in Wrexham are still counting every single person going into the food department and still sanitising the trolleys. Safest place to shop in Wrexham."

Carrie Harper thanked people for sharing their views on social media.

She added: "The worry is complacency, with a strain that’s potentially 70% more contagious that isn’t a good combination, especially not with the current rates locally."

In her initial statement on the issue, Cllr Harper said: “I’m concerned that poor safety practises in supermarkets may be leading to more people contracting Covid-19.

"There's evidence that supermarkets are the most common places visited before a positive test and local supermarket staff have been in touch with me to raise concerns.

"They’re worried about the number of people entering some premises locally and the lack of social distancing. They are worried about overcrowding at times and tell me they are raising concerns with managers but nothing is changing. They would like to see visits restricted to one person per household as we had in March given the current circumstances.

"We have a hugely concerning situation in Wrexham at the moment, with our rates of Covid per 100,000 population being the second worst in Wales and the percentage of positive tests doubling over the last three weeks.

READ - These are the rules for shopping in supermarkets during lockdown

In the latest coronavirus update from Wrexham Council, Chief Officer Planning and Regulatory Lawrence Isted said that multi-agency teams are trying to manage the various local occurrences. Also, Public Protection officers are working with North Wales Police to enforce the lockdown regulations, especially in the six "hotspot" sub-areas identified on Monday.

The guidance from the Welsh Government is that face coverings are required in all indoor public places, for both customers and staff, including supermarkets.