SHOPPERS in Blackburn and Burnley have helped supermarket giant Morrisons to record takings over the Christmas period.

In the six weeks to January 6 total store takings nationally, excluding fuel, broke all previous records for the national chain.

Figures released this week show takings for the Christmas period were up 11.6 per cent on the same period last year, or 7.2 per cent discounting the seven new stores the company added to its portfolio last year.

The 2001 build programme brought Morrisons' store tally to 114 nationally, including those in Blackburn and Burnley.

Consumers stocking up on festive fare in anticipation of the company's three-day Christmas closure pushed average weekly transactions per store up by 5.4 per cent.

Paul Eckersley, deputy manager of the Pendle Street store, in Nelson, said the store's figures reflected the national trend.

He said: "We were well up on last year -- our customer count was well up."

The company's street theme, featuring stalls including fishmongers, butchers and cake shop was also popular, he said.

Rob Schofield, assistant deputy store manager at the Blackburn store, in High Street, said: "We have had a very very good Christmas trading period - festive fare has all sold well."

The company's financial year ends on February 2 and in the first 48 weeks total takings were up 13.4 per cent, excluding fuel. The results for the year will be announced on March 21.