Plummeting temperatures have resulted in soaring sales for stores selling electric heaters and other cold weather goods.

Masters have no electric heaters left after selling around 1,500 in the last few days.

Masters floor manager John Swainson said: "On Monday we sold more than 800.

We still have some gas and kerosene heaters left, but they are more expensive.

"There are still people searching for heaters, but hopefully the majority of the Island is supplied. We wouldn't normally have sold this many until mid February.

"The next delivery is on its way, but I can't pinpoint when at this time.'' The story was the same at Gorham's.

Heaters seller Ken Pitcher said: "Saturday was absolutely mad and Monday and Tuesday weren't pretty. We couldn't put them on the shelf quick enough. It created a bit of a bottleneck but we did OK. And on Tuesday we ran out altogether.'' Mr. Pitcher said the store still had kerosene heaters while the next shipment of electric heaters would be arriving next week.

He said: "Hopefully they will be in the store by the end of the week if not sooner.'' Stuart's Office Manager Karen Shaw said her firm had sold every heater as well as doing a roaring trade in coffee pots and mug warmers.

She said: "We have sold 17 mug warmers. We put in a rush order for more heaters and they should get here in a couple of weeks.'' Gibbons Company have been deluged with people wanting blankets and scarves.

Merchandise manager Paula Clarke said: "People are shopping with a purpose instead of idly shopping. They are responding to the weather rather than buying on impulse.''