STORES hit the jackpot as thousands of bargain hunters descended on Blackburn to 'spend, spend, spend' with loadsamoney to spare after the festivities.

Crowds flocked to shop as sales started and most stores reported record business as people went for everything from jumpers to three-piece suites.

The number of shoppers was well-up on last year with town centre bosses estimating that a record 150,000 people crowding into the centre yesterday.

John Holt, assistant town centre manager, said: "People have just gone mad in the sales. Trade is the best we have seen it in the town. The queues are unbelievable and reserved parking spaces on the car parks had to be taken over to deal with the amount of vehicles. All the waiting for the re-development which has finally come together has been worth it."

Hundreds of shoppers waited patiently for nearly two hours in a 20 to 30 yard queue outside the Next store in the town centre yesterday morning. Ladieswear floor manager Angela Flynn said: "It has been so busy that there has been a long queue all day. We have not been able to open the doors all day and it has been a one in one out basis for safety. Our figures are well up on last year."

Hundreds of shoppers bombarded Debenhams at 8am for the two hour early bird bargains.

Manager Cliff Swimscoe said: "There were 50 to 60 waiting outside and braving the cold until we opened.

"We have been packed out all day and the numbers are up on last year."

McDonald's Restaurant in the centre served a bumper 1,800 customers before 1pm during the shopping bonanza.

Giant stores on the Whitebirk Estate have also enjoyed a sales bonanza but giant traffic queues leaving the trading complex on left drivers in a one and a half hour grid lock at one point.

Steve Burke, marketing manager for Uno, said: "We have had a bumper sales day and have had more people through our doors this year.

"The queues were horrendous and customers were coming back into the shop after waiting in queues for nearly two hours."

Marks and Spencer in Accrington reported a big response from bargain hunters.

A spokeswoman said: "Trade has been very brisk in the town centre and it's been very busy in the store."

At furniture store Barnes of Accrington Ltd, sales director Michael Carney said: "We have had quite a positive response."

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