Hundreds of shoppers have queued for hours after skygazers were met with empty shelves as they rushed to buy protective eyewear in time for tomorrow's solar eclipse.Several high street stores sold out while online customers were told they may not receive the glasses until the end of the week.It comes as experts warn sky watchers could go blind if they watch the stunning display without protection. Up to 96 per cent of the sun is set to be obscured during the eclipse - which will begin shortly after 6pm - as the moon drifts in front of it.Another eclipse as deep will not be visible from the UK until 2050.And astronomers wanting to see a total eclipse again from Britain will need to wait until September 23, 2090.Sky watchers have now been scrambling to get hold of a pair of solar eclipse glasses after several retailers listed the product as 'out of stock'.It follows a warning from the Royal College of Opthalmologists after around 70 cases of vision problems were reported following the 1999 total solar eclipse.A long line of customers formed for protective glasses in Exeter this afternoon - with some reportedly travelling from as far as London for a pair.The shop in Marsh Barton had advertised the equipment for those struggling to find a pair in the run-up to the event.Photographs show the FLO warehouse on Budlake Road experiencing a surge of traffic in the afternoon, with cars waiting in line for a chance to grab the eyewear. Photographs show the FLO warehouse on Budlake Road experiencing a surge of traffic in the afternoon, with cars waiting in line for a chance to grab the eyewear Hundreds queue at Plassey Retail Park store near Wrexham for sold-out solar eclipse viewing glasses On Wednesday, August 12, the UK will be treated to the most spectacular solar eclipse in a generation