A SOCCER-mad dad claims shoppers buying replica football shirts in Leigh town centre are being ripped off.

Phillip Morrison, of Battersby Street, Leigh, was livid that his young son paid £29 for a junior Arsenal shirt at JJB, Bradshawgate, on Saturday, and on Monday he saw exactly the same shirt in the company's Trafford Centre store £9 cheaper.

On complaining to the firm's customer services department about the vast difference in prices he claims he was told: "Thatll teach you to shop around."

Phillip said: "I am disgusted that the people of Leigh are being forced to pay higher prices than they are in the Trafford Centre because of the lack of competition."

He said his son Mark, aged 10, who plays for his school team, St Thomas' Bedford, had been saving up for his shirt and was thrilled when he bought it on Saturday.

However, on a trip to the Trafford Centre on Monday, he saw the same shirt was just £20 there.

He said: "I bought a senior shirt in Manchester for £25. I have been a regular shopper at JJB in Leigh for trainers, tracksuits and football shirts for my two children but I'll be taking their advice and shopping around in future. You don't mind paying a couple of quid more for a shirt but £9 is ridiculous, a total rip-off."

A JJB spokesman said: "The reason for the different prices is competition. At the majority of stores prices are the same but at some of the stores in Manchester where there is direct competition prices have to be lower."