A SHOP in High Wycombe was the scene of commotion this lunchtime as about 20 people with vouchers were told stock had run out of the free garment they hoped to claim.

The Telegraph newspaper today ran a promotion offering a free pashmina, worth £19.99, at selected Tie Rack stores across the country, while stocks lasted.

But the High Wycombe store, in the Chilterns Shopping Centre ran out of the pashminas by around 1pm.

There were reports of numerous unhappy customers in the shopping centre, who had brought vouchers with them to claim a free garment.

They were told some of the colours listed in the voucher were not included in the offer at the Wycombe branch.

Among the frustrated customers was Chiltern District Councillor Mimi Harker, who had made a special trip to Wycombe to pick up a pashmina.

She said: “It was quite something, I have to say. There were 20 of us there, and people were waving their coupons about.

“People were looking at what was happening as they walked past.

“It was a nice promotion, but unfortunately they didn't have enough stock.”

She said customers were unhappy that more colours weren't available at the Wycombe branch.

Cllr Harker said: “This is the first and only time I shall take up one of these promotions. The only reason I did it was to get one of these pashminas, because I love them.”

She added she had promised to write to the newspaper on behalf of the other customers.

Afsah Ali, sales assistant at the Tie Rack branch, said: “We had 500 in stock that we put out, but when we actually opened the shop there were so many customers coming in for them.

“By 1pm we had completely sold out. Some colours were shown in The Daily Telegraph but we weren't allowed to sell them – that's what the customers were unhappy about.”

She added customers had been coming in with the coupons throughout the afternoon, although a sign saying the pashminas were out of stock was up on the window.