SHOPPERS are flocking to Bolton's town centre shops to take advantage of a host of Boxing Day sales.

Some brave souls got into town as early as 4am in a bid to beat rival bargain hunters to the best deals.

A large number of shops, including many in the Market Place and Crompton Place shopping centres have deals on offering big discounts on a host of products.

One early riser was 23-year-old Sarah Morrow from Great Lever who was at the shops for 4am.

She said: "I have had a really good day, I think I have spent about £150 of Christmas money today and made quite a lot of savings.

"The best deal I got was on a new coat that was half price at £40, I brought my dad along to help as well and he has had to take one load of stuff home already."

Gulam Patel, from Blackburn Road said today was his only day off for some time, so he wanted to take advantage of the sales.

He said: "I got here about 7am and I reckon I have saved about £100 on what I have bought."

He said: "I got here about 7am and I reckon I have saved about £100 on what I have bought."

The earlier stores to open included Next, famed for its Boxing Day sales events, which allowed excited customers in from 6am, with fellow Market Place occupant River Island following suit at 7am.

Kayley Mabon, from Farnworth said she chose to pick up cards and presents for relatives' birthdays in the coming year.

She added: “I just thought it would be a good idea to come down and pick up bargains that I can use for presents for upcoming birthdays, and its gone really well.

“I wasn’t here at a crazy hour, I got here about 9am, saved a lot of money and now I am heading back to bed.”

Nikkie Wilson-Cooke, manager of the Market Place said that retailers she had spoken said the sales had gone better than expected.

She added: “I have chatted to many of the big retailers such as Zara, River Island and Debenhams and they have all said today has been really encouraging.

“There was a good number of early shoppers and store managers said the figures are looking better than they had hoped for.

“We very much want to make the Market Place the retail hub for the town centre and it looks like this has been the case for many shoppers today, which is great.”