IRN-BRU fans are panic buying up to 250 cans — after bosses revealed they’re halving the pop’s sugar content within days.

AG Barr blamed the looming soft drink tax on the old recipe’s cut.

3 The new recipe for the nation's favourite drink will hit shelves very soon Credit: Alamy

Stephen McLeod Blythe, of the Save Real Irn-Bru crusade, said: “People are stockpiling.”

But gutted fans have just weeks to stock up on the traditional drink before it vanishes from shelves.

Makers AG Barr will start producing a new sweetener-laced version of the fizzy favourite this month to replace current stock.

As some guzzlers stockpile cans, others threatened to boycott the new recipe — which sees sugar content slashed by 54 per cent.

Personal trainer Alan Clark, 44, from Glasgow, said: “I’ll get a few cases to put away for future. It would be good if they kept making the original too — I’d pay the extra. I’ll try the new one.”

Hiker Alan — aiming to photograph a can on all 282 Munro summits — added: “I don’t think it will benefit the flavour. I have a can when I come off the hills. And it’s a great hangover cure.”

Stephen McLeod Blythe, 29, who runs the Save Real Irn-Bru campaign, predicts Barr’s will eventually back down and revive the original formula.

The lawyer, of Glasgow, said: “A guy said he stocked up on 250 cans to try and ride this out.

3 Irn-Bru fan Stephen McLeod is campaigning to save the original recipe

3 Irn-Bru will never taste the same again Credit: PA:Press Association

“I suspect this change has come as a misguided response to declining fizzy drinks sales overall. It will eventually be reversed.”

Billy Anderson, 56, from nearby Bishopbriggs added: “I’ll need to grab a few bottles before the end of the month.”

But Ryan Allen, 29, of Ayr — whose Hands Off Our Irn-Bru petition attracted 6,500 names — urged against stockpiling.

He said: “I don’t think Irn-Bru deserve a panic buy.”

However the joiner admitted: “I’ve got myself a couple of glass bottles of the full-strength version to save.”

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Irn-Bru will dodge the UK Government’s soft drink tax from April.

Sugar content will fall from 10.3g per 100ml to 4.7g — under the 5g threshold.

AG Barr confirmed “reduced sugar production” will start “in the next week”.

A spokesman added: “Irn-Bru will remain a sugary drink.

"We’ve achieved a good match with less sugar.”

chris.musson@the-sun.co.uk

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