Bargain hunters have been braving the cold in Colchester and across Essex to set tills ringing at the first day of the sales.

Shoppers out in force in search of bargains flood into Williams and Griffin in Colchester

Doors opened at 6am at Next in Colchester, with customers queuing up at both the High Street and Culver Street West entrances, eager to snap up men's and women's clothing and interior decor bargains.

Shoppers laden with bags were seen heading back to the car parks by 7am.

A shop assistant at the store said: "We are really busy."

Woolworths, in Culver Square, started its sale yesterday, and store manager Brian Allen said: "Yesterday was marvellous. The store was full all day.

"People were out shopping for bargains. There are half-price items across the whole store."

He said canny shoppers were snapping up half-price Christmas cards, tree lights and crackers.

Mr Allen added: "Sales were up on Boxing Day last year."

Tills are also ringing at the first day of Williams and Griffins sale.

Spokeswoman Kelly Campbell said: "We do look quite busy already. It would appear that people are heading into town early."

Today also marked the first day of Debenhams' sale. Store manager Nick Clarke said: "We opened the doors at 8.30am and in the first three quarters of an hour we had 75 per cent or maybe double the number of people that came in last year."

Derek, Ashbee, manager of the Culver Centre, said: "People are out with a vengeance, with money in their pocket."

Colchester Co-op's department store manager Peter Frost said: "The weather's suitable for sales. There are lots of bargains available, particularly linens, and there's a lot of half-price fashions."

The Long Wyre Street store started its sales in the furniture and electrical departments yesterday, with the majority of departments starting the sale today.

It is also the first day of Marks and Spencer's sale in the High Street today.

Published Thursday December 27, 2001