TILLS jingled as thousands of bargain hunters swarmed on Bolton town centre yesterday to make the most of the last sale of the century.

And with many stores offering up to 50pc off, there were some real bargains to be found.

Next, which opened its doors at 6am, attracted hundreds of early bird shoppers with its annual New Year sale.

Many items are half price, and the store was busy right up to 8pm last night.

The shop's Penny Bradley said: "We haven't got any figures yet but from the amount of customers we've had through the doors it would be fair to say that the sale is as successful as ever."

Debenhams, which is advertising its sale as its "biggest half-price sale ever", opened its doors in the Market Place to hundreds of eager shoppers at 8am.

Store manager Paul Francis said there were great bargains to be had across the store.

"There were hundreds of shoppers outside the doors when we opened. Sales are particularly strong for half price clothing and homewear," he said.

It was the same story at Marks & Spencer in Deansgate. Manager Mark Forrest said he was pleased with the first day sales. Queues had formed outside the store before it opened at 8.30am.

Average reductions in M&S are 30pc, with most bargains to be found in the clothing departments.

George Coleman, operations manager for the Market Place, said: "All the stores jumped on the Next bandwagon and opened early, although not as early as Next."

He added: "The sales are going very well. People are spending money. The sales are always a success but it looks as if this year's sales are going to surpass previous records."

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