B&M has responded after a worker claimed they suffered a panic attack because of unsafe working conditions at a Bristol store.

The staff member at the Cribbs Causeway shop, who wishes to remain anonymous, says not enough is being done to ensure customers follow social distancing measures while shopping.

They say this is creating a "horrible and uncomfortable" environment to work in, but B&M has insisted it is following government guidance.

Describing the working conditions, the worker claims: "I feel very unsafe and uncomfortable working in that type of environment because there's no one hardly ever on the door to make sure people queue outside to be let in.

"That means anyone just walks in as they please.

"No-one hardly ever wipes over the trolleys after a customer has used them.

"There is no air conditioning either so we’re all stuck in a boiling hot environment, sweating and feeling sick because it’s too hot."

The staff member added that one incident earlier this week caused them to suffer a panic attack.

"I was in work today (Monday, April 27) and we had no one at the door for over four hours and I was at the till," they said.

"I want to say there must have been between 100 and 200 customers queuing and we had to open all seven tills.

"The customers were all stood so close together. It made me feel very unsafe and uncomfortable serving, to the point I suffered a minor panic attack."

"All in all it’s a horrible, unsafe and uncomfortable place to work right now. Sometimes I feel like going home or not going in at all as we have to deal with horrible, rude customers."

What did B&M say

B&M has said the chain is following government guidance and that customers are encouraged to stay two metres distance from one another.

A B&M spokesperson, said: “We are following the government guidance and have social distancing measures in place in store.

“Customers are encouraged to give two meters distance, pay by card and shop alone where possible.

"They may be asked to queue to enter the store as we’re restricting numbers in store.

“Colleagues are issued with masks and gloved and our tills have screen protectors in place.”