Shopkeepers are warning of a 'rush' on traditional tumble dryers ahead of an effective ban by Ed Miliband as Labour pushes to achieve Net Zero.

The Energy Secretary's department has slipped out plans to phase out the sale of gas-fired, air-vented and condenser dryers.

This will ensure that 'only efficient heat pump household tumble dryers remain available for purchase'.

The move will bring the UK in line with the European Union, which introduced similar rules last year.

But critics have condemned the plans as heat pump models are more expensive to buy up front, while users have complained they take much longer to dry clothes.

White goods retailers have experienced an increase in demand for air-vented and condenser dryers as consumers pay 'close attention' to the planned changes.

Sellers in Northern Ireland, which is subject to EU regulations as part of Brexit arrangements, also reported a surge in sales ahead of new Brussels rules being imposed.

Matt Oakes, head of sales at Appliance World Online, said his company had seen a 'massive uptick' in sales of traditional dryers.

'It's clear customers are paying close attention to these changes,' Mr Oakes told The Telegraph.

Luke Gammons, the director of Wades hardware store in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, said customers had been opting for air-vented tumble dryers.

'They're buying a new one because they know they won't be able to get another one,' he said.

He added that some customers were concerned about where they would put a heat pump dryer, amid concerns they don't perform as well if placed in garages or outbuildings during colder weather.

'A lot of our customers don't have room for tumble dryers in the home – they go outside, in an outbuilding. And they just will not work there,' Mr Gammons said.

An investigation by Which? earlier this month found that, while heat pump dryers have cheaper running costs, they can be up to £200 more expensive to buy in the first place.

Mr Gammons added: 'Soon, people will be paying double the price and people aren't aware they won't work in certain situations.'

Trevor Dalzell, managing director of Dalzells of Markethill, County Armagh, told the newspaper he had already seen the effect of EU rule changes on shopping habits. 

He said that there was a 'rush' for cheaper condenser models last summer ahead of Brussels regulations coming into force.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has said the changes will save families up to £900 over the lifetime of the appliance through lower running costs.

It also said it would cut Co2 emissions and energy use, 'contributing significantly towards our Net Zero and energy security ambitions'.

A DESNZ spokesman said: 'Energy efficient tumble dryers will save households up to £910 over their machine's 20-year lifetime - putting money back into the pockets of hard-working people.'

But senior Tory MP Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said: 'Why not let consumers choose whether or not that works for them?

'This is the problem with our Net Zero legislation – it means Ed Miliband dictating what car people drive, how they should heat their homes, and even what machine they can tumble their pyjamas in.'