One adult 'could survive for 55 years' on contents of average supermarket in the event of an apocalypse

A typical British supermarket has enough supplies in it to keep a person fed and watered for over half a century in case of an apocalypse or major disaster, according to one scientist.

Large stores are stocked with enough tinned and non-perishable goods to last one adult 55 years, Dr Lewis Dartnell said.

The author and astrobiology scientist conducted the research on how the UK could survive a potential apocalypse ahead of his appearance at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair in Birmingham next month.

His research also found that roughly one-third of the population (36%) keep a "grab-bag" off essential items to hand in case of a disaster.

While the research shows food (61%), medical supplies (53%) and even mobile phones (47%) were top of people's lists to grab as they run from home in the event of an emergency, fewer recognised the importance of taking matches (22%) or a simple bottle (10%), which could be used to disinfect water.

Dr Dartnell, author of The Knowledge: How To Rebuild Our World From Scratch, said: