BRUCE Rogers knows a bargain when he sees one - and he was prepared to do anything to snap it up when the sales started at Basingstoke's Festival Place.

Bruce, from Popley, camped outside the town's Sony Centre from 5.30pm on Boxing Day to make sure he got the TV he wanted at a third of its usual price.

Armed with a deck chair, a woollen hat and flasks of tea and soup, he waited 16 hours until the shop opened at 9.30am on Friday.

After reaping the benefits of his marathon stint, Bruce told The Gazette: "I've not been able to sleep at all, but it's worth it.

"I was after a 28-inch, digital widescreen TV and saved £400 on it. It normally goes for £599, but I got it for £200.

"I'm cold and tired, and am going to go straight to bed, but it's made it all worthwhile.

"I did the same last year - I must be a glutton for punishment!"

Bruce was among hundreds of Basingstoke bargain-hunters who filled Festival Place in the early hours of Friday as the post-Christmas sales began in earnest.

Shoppers had begun queuing outside the Next store at around 5am. By the time staff opened the doors at 6am, they were faced with a queue that snaked from the entrance down to the escalator and back up beyond the Christmas tree.

The shop quickly filled as people sought to take advantage of the offers, many of which were half-price.

Kevin Banks, from Brighton Hill, was one of the first to emerge. Carrying several bulging bags, he said: "I've spent £200, but must have saved about another £200.

"I normally do the telephone sales but this was much easier, even if it did mean getting down here for 5.30am. I'm very pleased we did it."

Anita Wilde, from Kempshott Park, was another happy shopper. She said: "There was a queue of about 100 people when I got here at 5.40am. It didn't really surprise me, as I do it every year.

"I was happy with what was on offer. I have a baby due in May and I bought many baby clothes."

Among the early morning bargain hunters was Festival Place marketing manager Jane Stewart, who estimated there were around 90,000 shoppers on the first day of the sales.

She said: "It was about the same as when Festival Place opened in October. It was a great success - busy all day, with lots of huge bargains."

Elsewhere in the town centre, many shops were reporting healthy sales. Debenhams, another Festival Place store, capitalised by extending its opening times by one-and-a-half hours.

Store manager Sue Cantrell said: "We have made a very good start. Our homeware items are at half price, so they've been popular, as has our outdoor wear.

"Not everything is half-price, but there are some very good savings to be made and people are making the most of them."

Liz Dyer, manager at Marks and Spencer, said the department store had been "very, very busy" after opening at 8.30am.