Bargain hunters out in force

Boxing Day bargain hunters were out in force today as post-Christmas sales got under way around the country

Shoppers queued for up to four hours at Selfridges in London to take advantage of reductions of up to 50%.

Over 5,000 transactions were recorded by 10am and a spokesman said they were aiming for 150,000 sales by the end of trading.

"We have had our biggest week ever and today is bigger than this time last year," he added.

"We've had to install ropes and a security system."

Despite reports of a downturn in Christmas shopping this year, stores were confident that moving out goods at such reduced prices was a sound move.

Maggie Porteous, managing director of John Lewis, Manchester, said they had reduced prices to move end-of-season lines and make way for new products.

Mrs Porteous added: "We had 7,500 cars parked in our car park before we'd even opened this morning.

"It's very hectic, everyone's busy.

"It's the first time a John Lewis has ever been opened on Boxing Day...I guess it's a sign of the times."

In Birmingham, shoppers began queuing at 7am outside the Bullring and over 26,500 people had visited the centre by 11am - 6% up on last year.

Retail analysts FootFall said figures showed 18% less people shopped on Christmas Eve than last year, with people choosing to stock-up the previous day, making last Friday almost a fifth busier than the equivalent day last year.