People living in the south Wales Valleys town of Merthyr Tydfil buy more white socks than anywhere else in the UK, according to new figures.

A superstore in the town has sold 73,000 pairs in the last year, which works out at one pair every four minutes.

It seems that they are working hard to keep the popular 80s fashion alive Steve Thomas, deputy store manager Asda

Managers at the Asda store say they have struggled to keep up with the demand for white socks.

Steve Thomas, deputy store manager, said: "I can't believe the amount of white socks that go through the checkouts each week at Asda Merthyr Tydfil.

"We sell a whole range of colours and patterns, but our sales show that shoppers simply prefer white to any other colour.

"It seems that they are working hard to keep the popular 80s fashion alive," he added.

The only reason Asda colleagues have come up with for the demand for white socks is the windy weather - which frequently blows washing from lines around the town.