Eggs lose free-range status on Pancake Day

Boxes to carry sticker stating hens were kept in barns amid bird flu restrictions - though shoppers will still pay premium price

On Shrove Tuesday, the biggest egg-buying day of the year, UK consumers are being warned that eggs branded as free range have actually been laid by housed hens because of emergency measures to combat the spread of bird flu.

All free-range egg boxes will carry a sticker explaining that the box contains "eggs laid by hens temporarily housed in barns for their welfare".