EAST Lancashire's town centres were at bursting point with keen shoppers as the countdown to Christmas gathers pace.

Shops were packed from open to close as the region's shoppers took their last chances to grab a bargain or two.

The Mall in Blackburn boasted a footfall increase of five per cent on last year as mums, dads, sons and daughters scampered round to find gifts for their loved ones.

The Centre for Retail Research estimates that Christmas spending will be up by 1.4 per cent to 78.69 per cent.

These figures relate to total spending in the six weeks from mid-November to the end of December 2017.

And that has been reflected in the shoppers out on the streets this weekend, with tills ringing as shoppers get last-minute presents on the last full weekend of shopping.

Children have been able to visit Father Christmas at a festive workshop in The Mall and watched a performance from The Red Hot Santa Band at Charter Walk, which performed a variety of traditional Christmas carols and songs in Reggae and Jazz.

Holmes Mill in Clitheroe was also packed with shoppers buying food and drinks for the festive period from its comprehensive foodhall.

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: "It really has been the most wonderful time of the year here at The Mall with footfall up five percent.

"The atmosphere has been magical and our Santa’s Workshop has received some of the best feedback we have ever had.

"It takes little ones through a journey of wonder that confirms exactly how Father Christmas can get round the world in just 24 hours and also takes parents back to yesteryear with a toy hall of fame."

It has been predicted 11.5million leisure journeys will be made between today (Monday) and Christmas Eve.

However, this will be eclipsed by the 17.5 million between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as people take advantage of post-Christmas sales at shops.

Brian Hobbs, president of the Burnley Chamber of Trade, said: "Walking about the town and watching how things are going I have noticed it has been as busy as it was last year.

"It is important for retail shops as they will get a lot of trade passing through, however we will not know how successful they have been until after the event and the numbers are counted up."

Drivers have been advised to avoid travelling on 'Frantic Friday' when the last of the year's commuter traffic will clash with the Christmas getaway and last minute shoppers.

Shoppers out in Blackburn and Burnley said they noticed a surge in people on the streets.

Carla Johnson, from Padiham, said: "I saw women struggling to walk with their prams because of all the extra people out and about.

"You see people are carrying lots of shopping bags, it's great to grab a bargain or two."

John Gallagher, from Burnley, said: "It's great seeing all the kids out and about and enjoying the festivity of it all.

"It must be doing the shops the world of good as well, I bet for a lot of them this weekend and the coming days can make or break their year."

Big retail stores such as Next, Top Shop and River Island have slashes prices of around 50 per cent on some items.

Cllr Phil Riley, regeneration boss at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said he was pleased to see shoppers getting out onto the high street as well as shopping online.

He said: "The Blackburn Improvement District, the council and all its partners have put a lot of effort into making shopping in the town an attractive proposition.

"There is lots of competition with shopping, people go to out of town malls and the internet.

"But it is good to see people are responding and going out to the shops and spending their money locally.

"Part of the offer of attracting people to town with retail shops means they will get to see the independent businesses we have."

The Mall is set to open until 8pm every day until Saturday, and will be open on Christmas from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

It will reopen at 9am on Boxing Day.

One Blackburn shopper said: "I love going shopping at this time of year.

"Seeing all the events on and the Christmas decorations makes it feel more festive.

"I just hope I haven't bought too much, I can easily overspend when I get to the shops."

Charter Walk will be open late on Thursday until 8pm, with free parking from 5pm to 8pm.