SHOPPERS queued from before 3am to burst through the doors of a Southampton shopping centre to pick up the festive bargains.

Westquay saw those starting to line up from 2.48am to take advantage of the discounts, which is expected to see thousands attracted from all over Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With Boxing Day marking the start of the traditional sales for many retailers, shoppers descended in search of cut-price products, with 270 outside the door of Next ready for its 6am opening.

Andy Collyer, Westquay general manager, said: "The annual Boxing Day sales are marked as an important date in the diary for shoppers and it has continued to do so for residents in Southampton.

"Westquay saw bargain-hunters queueing from 2.48am, as retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer are offering excellent discounts this year.

"We expect the sale rush to continue, when John Lewis' sale starts on the 27th.

"With a great selection of restaurants, along with some fantastic films currently in cinema, customers can have a full day out with the money they save elsewhere."

According to the Southampton shopping centre, they have seen a surge in record players being sold in John Lewis, while the new iPhone and Bose headphones have also been top sellers.

Shoppers have also benefitted from the opening of new stores including Hugo Boss, Joules and Lovisa, which have attracted thousands over the festive period.

According to a poll by Barclaycard, one third of the UK's population was expected to turn out to the shops, with a spend of more than £4 billion.

Paul Lockstone, managing director at Barclaycard, said: "Last year, Black Friday overshadowed Boxing Day sales as many retailers struggled to maintain consumer interest in what has become a month-long discounting event.

"This year, however, value-seeking consumers appear to be more eager to buy cut-price items across both sales periods as they try to combat rising prices."

The news comes after more than 100,000 people made their way through the north and south Westquay buildings on the last full weekend before Christmas.

Coming from all over Hampshire, shoppers spent hundreds on electronics, clothes and other goods, as well as the ice rink.

Around 30,000 people put their skates on to enjoy the rink before Christmas.