FURIOUS parents have lashed out at Glasgow shopping centres as unprecedented demand for cut-price teddy bears at a popular shop saw stores forced to turn customers away.

Customers have reported massive queues and “crying” children as Build-A-Bear closed off its queues for the day amid “security” concerns.

READ MORE: How Build-A-Bear’s Pay Your Age Day promotion fell apart across the UK

Build-A-Bear, which has branches in Buchanan Galleries, Silverburn and intu Braehead - said it has not seen queues like it has today “in our 21-year history.”

The company launched a promotion called “Pay Your Age Day.”

On July 12, customers have been able to pay their age for any stuffed animal.

It has been the biggest in-store deal for the company ever.

Massive queues have formed at the Glasgow stores throughout the day, so much so that the stores have been forced to turn hundreds of families away.

Customers have been blasting the company on Twitter, blaming bosses of “poor planning.”

One customer said on social media: “Just a heads up to anyone who’s thinking of taking there little one to Build-A-Bear in Glasgow City Centre today. Shambles, not to mention the effort that my better half put into getting our little girl ready and out early this morning.”

Another Twitter user described “absolute scenes,” as another raging dad said: “Build-A-Bear not being able to supply the demand on Pay Your Age Day is bad. Making kids have to attend and being turned away at the door is disgusting. #promofail #angryparent.”

“Can’t get over how busy Braehead is for the Build-A-Bear offer. Parents, grannies children everywhere, Queue is nuts,” added another.

One Glasgow mum fumed: “Build-A-Bear Pay Your Age, what an absolute joke. Didn’t expect the demand?! Are you serious? Explain that to all the kids crying because there’s no stock left. Should have planned it better.”

Braehead bosses said in a short statement: “This event has prompted unprecedented demand from customers, and our security and customer services teams have been assisting with the queues since early this morning.

“This has been an extremely popular event and due to this higher than expected demand, we’re sorry that the queue for Build-A-Bear is now closed and no-one else will be able to join the line. This is to make sure there are enough bears available for those already in the queue.”

Buchanan Galleries bosses added: “Unfortunately, the queue has reached capacity and is now closed. Please keep an eye on Build-a-Bear’s social media for updates.”

Build-A-Bear headquarters in London also issued a statement

It said: “The response to our Pay Your Age Day event at all of our UK locations has been overwhelming and unprecedented in our 21-year history.

“The crowds have greatly exceeded our expectations and, per local authorities, queues are at capacity and we cannot accept additional guests due to extreme crowds and safety concerns.

“We understand our guests are disappointed, and we are working to address the situation.

“We will reach out directly to our valued guests as soon as possible.”