I’m a Lilt megafan & I’m spending hundreds of pounds buying up cans before they’re scrapped

A LILT fan is so devastated his favourite drink has been scrapped he's decided to spend HUNDREDS of pounds buying the tins up before they vanish.

Tom Payne could not believe it when he heard the tangy tropical pop is being rebranded as Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit.

Fearing an imminent fizzle from Britain's shelves, the IT engineer legged it to his local shops, but couldn't find the soft drink anywhere.

The 24-year-old from Charing Cross, central London, told The Sun: "I was completely shocked when I heard the news.

"Lilt has always been a part of my life growing up."

In a panic, he launched an "urgent" campaign offering a whopping £100 to anyone who can track down 20 of the soon-to-be extinct cans.

He posted his ad on that allows users to pay others for simple tasks like building Ikea furniture - and waited.

But the 20 cans aren't just for him, Tom, revealed - they are also a "surprise gift" for his dad Gary.

His old man is a massive fan of the soft drink and was "gutted" it was being discontinued as it takes him back to his childhood.

Tom said: "Rebrands of his childhood treats never sat right with him, like when the Marathon bar changed to Snickers, and Opal Fruits changed to Starburst.

"But… now Lilt!"

The Londoner said the £100 will cover the cost of the cans, delivery and finders fee.

Dozens have already come forward offering their services but Tom is yet to chose who should carry out the mission - which must be completed by March 16.

Once he's got them, the Lilt-lover plans to give most to Gary and keep a couple back for himself.

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He added: "I’ll definitely have a can with my dad when I give them to him and the rest we’ll probably have on special occasions like Dad’s birthday perhaps.

"And we will have to keep a couple as a keepsake!"

Lilt - a household favourite since 1975 - began its name change on February 14.

It had undergone a gradual morph into Fanta-shaped bottles in recent years.

Coca Cola, who own the drink, stressed that while the name and packaging is changing, Lilt's taste and ingredients will not.

Fanta brand manager Charlotte Walsham added: "Our main priority with this announcement is to reassure Lilt's loyal fan base that absolutely nothing has changed.

"It's just got itself a new name."