HUNDREDS of shoppers queued up in the early hours of the morning on a bumper day of sales for Bolton’s retailers.

More than 200 people waited at the front doors of the Market Place Shopping Centre in the town centre, ready for the Next sale, which began at 6am on Boxing Day.

Both the Market Place and Crompton Place reported successful days, with clothing stores proving the most popular.

Rod Neasham, centre manager at the Market Place, said: “We have had a fantastic start to the post-Christmas sales, with more than 200 people queueing from 6am for the Next sale.

“River Island and Debenhams both started their sales early and have proved very popular with those wanting to bag a bargain. We even had two coach loads of shoppers from then South travel up to take advantage of the Boxing Day sales.”

Jean Grundy, from Chorley, who visited the Market Place with her daughter, Becky, said: “We got here about 8am. We have found some good bargains, mainly clothes. I will be happy to spend a couple of hundred pounds in the sales.”

Jordan Kay-Howorth, aged 20, from Breightmet, was pleased to have found an outfit for his Boxing Day night out.

He said: “I arrived at about 8.30am because I wanted to find an outfit. I’m going out in Bolton and needed some new clothes — the sales have been good and I’ve spent about £100.”

About 40 people queued up outside Crompton Place at 7.30am, with clothing stores New Look, Primark and BHS opening at 8am.

New Look manager Carrie-Ann Deighton said: “We had a till queue going back the length of the shop, but we had plenty of staff in to ensure we moved people through as quickly as possible.

“We have had a really positive and busy festive period, so it is great to see that this looks set to be continuing.”

Hundreds of shoppers also headed to the Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich to take advantage of the sales.

Marketing manager Heather Crank-Ingham said: “It has gone really well. There were 100 people queueing outside Next at 6am. Other stores reported successful trading and there was a good atmosphere among shoppers and retailers.”