Budget store Poundland has seen a surge in pregnancy test kits sales since lockdown began in the UK.

Demand for the kits rocketed by 25 per cent across the country following the first week lockdown measurements were put in place on March 23.

The discount retailer has kept most of its stores open to sell essential items, with sales of its £1 pregnancy test kits on the rise week by week.

Under lockdown restrictions, people can only leave their homes for very limited reasons, including shopping, caring for a vulnerable person, exercise or where people are unable to work from home.

But it would seem couples up and down the country have chosen to use up some of their time by cuddling up, meaning a likely baby boom at the end of the year and next January.

The store with the highest amount of sales across the nation goes to the Princess Alice Drive store in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.

Poundland’s findings also point to a big increase in kids in Kidderminster and Kilmarnock and babies in Bolton and Belfast next December and January.

Sales were up in Ramsgate and Rugby too, with new arrivals also expected in New Malden and Newry within nine months.

Tim Bettley, trading director at Poundland, said: “If you’ve been wondering how people have been spending their time in lockdown, we’ve found the answer.

“Couples under the same roof don’t need to worry about social distancing and they’ve been getting up close and comfortable, as our sales figures show.

“Based on our sales, Britain should be preparing for a baby boom as couples found more entertaining ways to relax than watching box sets or doing jigsaws.”

The top ten towns where sales have increased are:

1. Sutton Coldfield

2. Slough

3. West Bromwich

4. Wealdstone

5. Kilburn

6. Nottingham

7. Woolwich

8. Pitsea, Essex,

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9. Londonderry

10. Thornton Heath