A UNION is urging Keighley-district shoppers to 'keep their cool' in the final few days before Christmas.

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) is encouraging the public to respect shopworkers at their busiest time of the year.

"We anticipate especially busy stores this week culminating in what the retail industry has branded ‘Super Saturday’ on December 23," says Paddy Lillis, for Usdaw.

"Shoppers can be stressed, and there's a danger things may boil over.

"I want to gently ask the public to remember that shopworkers are people too. They will be working really hard to make your shopping experience as enjoyable as possible and deserve respect.

"Talking to our members who work in retail, I know that verbal abuse cuts deep. Many will go home after a shift upset about an unpleasant incident that took place at work that day and worried that it will happen to them again. That is why as a union we are asking customers to ‘keep your cool’ so that everyone can have a happier Christmas."