Ipswich has had one of the biggest increases in the country for sales of power banks following the launch of Pokemon Go.

There was a 614% rise in the number of power banks – portable devices which charge up smartphones, tablets and other products – at the Ipswich branch of Maplin this week.

The next highest was in Middlesbrough, where there was a 493% rise.

Pokemon Go was released in the UK on Thursday last week. But with players battling against dwindling battery life, demand for external power banks has rocketed.

Andy Fairweather, category buyer at Maplin comments: “The week following the release of Pokémon GO was the biggest week of power banks sales since Maplin started selling them, even out-performing Christmas last year.

“Although we knew the game was being released and would be popular, we are amazed by how much the craze has swept the nation. In some areas we have nearly sold out of power banks and have had to ship an extra 2,000 just to keep up with demand.

“Our pocket-sized power banks have been most popular, allowing Pikachu, Pidgey and Squirtle-hunters to charge their devices as they play.”