This is Staffordshire --HORDES of shoppers flocked to buy last-minute presents and early sale bargains – with more crowds expected to join the mad festive rush today.
Tills were jingling as thousands of families braved the hustle and bustle and extra-long queues in Hanley's intu Potteries shopping centre over the weekend.
It was was made even busier by the unusual amount of sale rails full with bargains as even the smallest shops had twice as many staff on as normal.
The rush also saw Hanley's Clinton Cards run out of small bags towards the end of Sunday.
Charlotte Machin and Olivia Douglas both work at The Box in the Potteries and have worked long hours throughout December to serve thousands of customers.
Twenty-year-old Charlotte, of Wolstanton said: "It has been extremely busy this week. The weekend was manic but Saturday was definitely worst.
"We have to have at least eight staff on all day to serve everyone that comes in but fortunately I like working here.
"Despite working in the shopping centre I still chose to do most of my shopping online to avoid the rush and queues."
The sales assistants are preparing for a long shift of 9am until 9pm today.
Olivia, aged 19 of Brinsley Avenue, Trentham, is working her second December at the shop. She said: "It is a lot busier than last year. It started getting busy in November.
"People started shopping for presents quite early. At the moment we have about 400 customers per day."
Olivia has completed her Christmas shopping during her lunch breaks and plans to treat herself to a few presents on Christmas Eve.
She added: "I am surprised at how early the sales have started this year. They don't usually start until after Christmas."
Twenty-four year-old web designer Samantha Davies of Cheswardine Road, Bradwell said she was impressed by the sales.
"I did some of my shopping online and in The Potteries," she said. "I bought my mum some perfume and one of my friends some make-up and got a few treats for myself."
Also braving the crowds was sixth-form student Lois Smith, of Parklands, Kidsgrove.
"I went shopping in Hanley with my mum on Sunday and there was a lovely atmosphere," said the 18-year-old, who attends Alsager Comprehensive School.
"Everyone was doing their Christmas shopping and seemed really chilled out.
" All of the staff were lovely and really helpful. I went to buy a few last-minute presents such as perfume."
Eighteen-year-old dance student Jessica Barker, of Eaveswood Road, Abbey Hulton, dashed to Hanley yesterday to avoid the final pre-Christmas rush today and tomorrow.
She said: "I don't think it has been too busy but I imagine that Monday will be heaving.
"I have most of my presents I just need a few toys for my nephews."
The amount of sales could be down to the latest footfall numbers which showed a 2.9 per cent drop in visits to high streets, out-of-town sites and shopping centres last month with UK online sales rising to a monthly record of £10.1bn. Reported by This is 1 day ago.