Hundreds queue for eclipse glasses as shops sell out

Hundreds of people have been queuing to buy a pair of specialist glasses to view the highly-anticipated solar eclipse.

They are among those hoping to catch a safe glimpse of the event, which is the UK’s most significant since 1999.

In Howleys, Weymouth, 500 pairs flew off the shelves on Tuesday, so a member of staff drove 120 miles and back again to purchase 4,500 more.

Assistant Manager John Diment had to place a restriction on how many each customer could buy, and said the day before they were having to turn customers away.

“We did unfortunately, you know, some people understood, some people weren’t happy,” he said.

“Hopefully today we’ll be able to fulfil everybody’s needs of what they want.”

After four-and-a-half hours of opening, the team had sold all 4,500 pairs of eclipse glasses.

Experts have said enthusiasts should not look directly at the Sun without specialist glasses.

Even brief exposure potentially causing lasting damage – and they also advise using an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole camera.

And people should not be tempted to try using sunglasses or dark goggles instead.