BARGAIN-hunters cashed in on the Boxing Day sales before a quieter weekend for stores across East Lancashire.

Around 100 hardy shoppers braved the freezing temperatures and queued outside the Next store in The Mall, Blackburn, before it opened its doors at 6am on Boxing Day.

Queues also formed outside a number of Burnley stores, including River Island in Market Square, with shoppers desperate to bag a good deal.

Bosses at the Charter Walk Shopping Centre in Burnley said Friday was busier than expected with shops packed all day.

Data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG suggested shoppers in the UK spent a record £2.9billion on Friday alone, with online spending hitting £519,000 every minute with an estimated £748million spent throughout the day.

Sam Cole, 19, from Blackburn was waiting outside The Mall on Boxing Day morning before the shops opened and returned the next day to try to make the most of the reductions.

He said: “These kinds of prolonged sales at major stores only come once a year and you have got to make the most of it.

“I’ve been to Next, Clarks, H&M and JD and have saved almost £100 so far which is great.

“Buying things like shirts and trousers can be quite expensive during other times of the year so having such a large amount of money off now is a nice Christmas boost.”

Molly Abrahams and her mum Sally hit the sales in Burnley on Saturday picking up bargains, and also thinking ahead to next Christmas.

Molly, 22, who lives with her family in Colne, said: “We picked up some pyjamas and also some Christmas wrapping paper for next year.

“I also bought some clothes for my trip to Australia in three weeks so it was great to get all that stuff for a reduced price.

“Next was really busy and so was River Island.”

Claire Richards, 26, from Darwen said: “I’ve never seen The Mall so busy as it has been this weekend.

“I came for an hour or so on Boxing Day but it was so busy that I decided to come back on Saturday but it was still crowded.

“The sales are great for the shops as they get more people in but they are also great for the customers as they can get a lot more than they normally do for their money.

“I popped into New Look, the Body Shop and Top Shop and got some shirts, tops and some make-up.

“I think I have saved around £30 which is money that I can put towards something else.”