TILLS were ringing loud and clear throughout East Lancashire as Christmas shoppers swamped town centres and stores.

National figures stated the average person will spend £650 on Christmas, but in local towns most people said they would be spending about £200.

In Burnley on the penultimate Saturday before the big day, stores had people queuing to buy presents, in Nelson there was a Christmas market and the Colne Operatic Society performed in Colne.

Festive entertainment in Burnley town centre included a large Father Christmas and snowman in the Market Square, and an inflatable Santa on the roof of WH Smith and River Island.

The Barden Mill shop, in Burnley, has doubled its takings from last year and shopfloor manager Martin Vernon said: "The Christmas rush started three weeks ago, before December, and people have been spending a lot more this year.

"On Saturday we had an incredible day -- the mill was packed. We have also employed five extra seasonal staff since September."

Elizabeth Gilbert opened her stall Kraft Korner making hand-painted items on Burnley Market six weeks ago and said business was doing well. She said: "I have had a lot of people coming in buying sets of personalised Christmas cards and diaries.

"People come from Manchester and Trafford Park saying there isn't anything like this down there way. I was not sure if I would continue after Christmas but people have been keen for me to do so and it has been very busy."

But chairman of the market traders' association Paddy Brady warned: "The problem with Burnley is the infrastructure of the town and the lack of car parking.

"In the last five years four new supermarkets have been built. These, and shops selling items for a pound, are in competing with the market."

Paddy has had his stall for more than 20 years and said ten years ago he employed two additional full-time staff.

He said the tenants had sponsored Christmas raffles for customers but gimmicks weren't the answer.

Owner of Illusions clothing on Burnley market Jack Variyam said: "Things are quite good and the business has been busier.

"Trade is better than last year and that is because we keep on changing and renewing stock."

Shopper Sarah Jennings has no transport and so does all her Christmas shopping in Burnley.

The lifeguard and receptionist at Padiham Pool lives in Brunshaw. She said: "I have no children but I will be spending £100 to £200 on friends and family this Christmas and maybe another £100. I tend to buy things all year round, some even in the January sales, and just put them away so it is not such a huge hefty bill at Christmas."

For Susan Latham, of Leyland Road, Burnley, her impending marriage on Easter Saturday has brought with it a whole new family to buy for this year.

She also buys all her presents in Burnley and said she had already spent £100 on Saturday alone.

She said: "I am spending more this year than last because I have more people to buy for and Christmas will be very busy round at relatives' homes."

When Michelle Pike, from Barnoldswick, started shopping early on Saturday the stores were quiet, but she was glad of a break at lunchtime when it became much busier.

She said: "I come into Burnley to do my shopping and I will be spending a couple of hundred pounds which is about the same as last year -- it depends what my 14-year-old daughter wants as she gets older she seems to want dearer things."

At Boundary Mill, in Colne, site manager Jane McCulloch said: "As always it is very busy here and it started early. We seem to have been busier than we anticipated and people are spending more."

HGV driver Philip Roscoe, of Clitheroe, reckoned he'd spend about £200 on Christmas this year which was up on last year's festive total.