Barrow MP Simon Fell, pictured with Co-op area manager, Craig McCullough, visited the shop in Askam as part of Respect for Shopworkers Week.

There has been a jump in incidents of anti-social behaviour, verbal abuse and physical assaults during lockdown between January and October 2020 which is now at record levels, according to the Co-op.

The company revealed that one in four frontline workers had been subjected to such behaviour while working to keep communities fed during this unprecedented time.

The majority of shoppers were said to be appalled with the abuse, with 84 per cent saying it was unacceptable for shopworkers to put up with any form of violence or abuse and 82 per cent calling for greater sentencing for offenders.

The Co-op is calling on the Government for greater protection for all shopworkers.