THIS is the bizarre moment a shopper was snapped loading dozens of pumpkins into his car after sweeping the shelves at a London supermarket.

       Outraged social media users have accused the man of stockpiling the squashes ahead of Halloween this Sunday.

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       This is the baffling moment a shopper was spotted loading his car boot with dozens of pumpkins Credit: Facebook

       He was spotted filling his boot in Brentford, west of the capital.

       The image, taken by another customer, shows around 31 pumpkins already in the car.

       The man was captured shuttling at least 10 more from a trolley into the boot.

       One local wrote on a Brentford community Facebook page: "First there were toilet rolls, next there was the fuel and now... panic buying pumpkins at Brentford Morrisons!"

       However, they clarified the post was meant in fun.

       "This is a 'JOKE', for all you sensitive sweethearts out there," the user added.

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       The post received mixed comments from the public, with the majority of people seeing the funny side, My London reports.

       One said: "Oh no I better get down there quick."

       Another said: "Leave some for us!"

       And a third chimed in: "He must have a f****** massive house.

       "Where will he find the space?"

       However, some were furious after spotting the image online.

       'WHO NEEDS SO MANY?'

       One fumed: "I've been around two different shops today looking for pumpkins and couldn't find any. This is why."

       Another admitted they were baffled, writing: "Who on earth needs this many pumpkins?"

       Some suggested possible uses for the vegetables - with one saying the man may well be a teacher or someone in charge of a children's youth club.

       There are pumpkin picker shortages in the UK which could threaten supply in the days to come.

       One pumpkin farm owner told the publication that picking crops this year has been a "real struggle".

       Emily French, of Foxes Farm Produce in Basildon, Essex, said she's faced labour issues following Covid and Brexit.

       FEELING GOURD

       The farm relies on around 12 workers a day in order to pick the crop in time for Halloween.

       Growers have just a six-week window to harvest pumpkins.

       Amazingly, more of us now buy pumpkins for Halloween than Christmas trees over the festive season.

       It's predicted that more than 17million will be sold this year.

       Instagram is awash with celebrities visiting hand-picking patches and “doorscaping” house entrances with pumpkins.

       Meanwhile, searches for “pumpkin patch” soared by 90 per cent in the first week of September and some of the top patches have been hashtagged more than 15,000 times.

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       Celebrities including Frankie Bridge are fuelling the pumpkin boom Credit: Instagram 4

       Ferne McCann posted photos of a visit to a pumpkin patch Credit: Instagram 4

       Stacey Solomon and her family also shared an image of their Halloween pumpkins Credit: instagram

       Stacey Solomon puts together pumpkin patch with sons as they get into Halloween spirit