DECEMBER is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for shopping.

BOLTON town centre has to compete for Christmas shoppers with rival centres including the Middlebrook complex and the Trafford Centre. So is the town centre still our favourite place to shop? Reporter Dean Kirby went on to the streets to investigate.

MANY shoppers say Bolton is still the place to search for Christmas presents, even though others have looked elsewhere for bargains.

Grandmother Margaret Lenny, from Breightmet, said: "I think Bolton is still a good place to look for gifts.

"I've been coming to town during the week and at the weekends and it's been very busy. It does seem to be getting dearer though. Toys are a lot more expensive than they used to be.

"I've spent more money this year because my grandson has just been born." Sandra Scott, from Sharples, said: "I'm a shopaholic and I come into Bolton to look for bargains every weekend. But the main problem is parking. I have been to the Trafford Centre quite a few times."

Her husband Mike said: "They do have a good selection of shops in Bolton, but the parking situation doesn't help."

John Clarke, from Little Lever, said: "I think prices seem to be about the same in Bolton. It's not getting any dearer."

His wife Jackie said: "I love shopping, especially at Christmas. I do seem to have bought more presents this year."

Margaret Calvert, from Harwood, said: "I feel prices have been going up, but I keep a budget of what I want to spend on presents.

"I like coming into Bolton town centre very much. It's quite compact and you don't have to walk very far."

Stevie Magari, aged 16, said: "Bolton's not a bad place to shop, especially at lunchtime, but I do like going to other places as well."

Alison Hopper, aged 17, who works in a Bolton shop, was also looking for last-minute bargains.

She said: "Bolton's a good place to do some shopping, but I've only got £7 left until pay day, so I'll have to spend it wisely."