People who wake up on Christmas Day only to find they've forgotten one of the seasonal essentials are in luck - some stores will be open.

Spar, in Connaught Avenue, FRINTON, saved the day last year when someone came in to buy ... a turkey.

The distraught customer had left it out overnight and the cat had eaten it.

Steve Boggis, who will open the Spar store for the third year running, said: "We will be stocking turkeys again. People come in for all sorts of things. Batteries and tobacco are popular."

Last minute purchases of alcohol are also a favourite, but customers are reminded licensing laws do not allow alcohol to be bought before 12 noon on Christmas Day.

Philip Faraday, of Jan and Phil's, in Barrack Street, New Town, COLCHESTER, is opening on Christmas Day for the second year running.

Mr Faraday said: "We did superb business last year. They come in for everything."

The Spar shop in Masefield Road, BRAINTREE, now opens every Christmas Day and owner Steve Jeggo said it is always busy.

He added: "Boxing Day is also tremendously busy. You name it, they come in for it, especially to stock up on groceries."

All One Stop and Dillons Convenience Stores will be staffed from 10am to 4pm. For people worried about re-fuelling their cars as well as getting last-minute items like toilet paper and milk, some petrol stations and their shops will be open.

The Express Shops at BP petrol stations on the A12 Colchester Bypass and Mersea Road, COLCHESTER, will be staffed throughout the festive period. For hours customers should call a special hotline on 0800 402 402.

Q8, in London Road, Stanway, will be open 24 hours from Christmas Day through to January 4.

While the Q8 in Colchester Road, ELMSTEAD MARKET, will be open each day from Christmas Day to January 4, though hours vary.

Shops opening on Christmas Day

Alldays Stores (open 10am to 2pm) Mountbatten Road, Braintree; Panfield Road, Braintree; Newland Street, Witham; Spa Road, Witham; Harwich Road, Colchester; High Street, Harwich.

Dillons Convenience Stores (10am-2pm) North Station Road, Colchester; Bromley Road, Colchester; St Christopher Road, St John's; Hunwicke Road, Greenstead; Plume Avenue, Prettygate; Victoria Place, Brightlingsea; High Street, Thorpe; High Street, Manningtree; Frinton Road, Kirby; The Green, Great Bentley.

Jan and Phil's, (8am-2pm) Barrack Street, Colchester.

McColl's, formerly Forbouys (10am-2pm). Mersea Road, Colchester.

Spar (10am to 2pm) Connaught Avenue, Frinton.

Spar Foodmarkets (9am to 2pm) Victoria Place, Brightlingsea.

Spar Shop (11am-3pm) Masefield Road, Braintree.

Spar Stores (10am-1.30pm) Spring Road, St Osyth.

Q8 petrol station and shop, London Road, Stanway - 24-hour opening.

Q8 petrol station and shop, Colchester Road, Elmstead Market - 9am to 3pm.

Alcohol can only be sold after 12 noon.

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