If you've noticed a lack of biscuits available in your local supermarket, it turns out there's a very good reason for that.

Storms Desmond and Eva resulted in some severe flooding that forced the closure of the United Biscuits factory in Carlisle in December, and the company anticipates ‘several months’ of biscuit shortages.

In their official statement, United Biscuits stated that: ‘Due to floods in Carlisle we are experiencing a shortage of a number products under the McVitie’s, Jacob’s, Carr’s and Crawford’s brands. [...] We apologise if consumers are finding it difficult to get hold of some of these products and we are working hard at our Carlisle site to resume normal service as soon as possible.’

So it looks like it may be a while before we are resupplied with custard creams.....