THE tills are ringing throughout East Lancashire with the sound of Christmas trade.

Many stores are reporting excellent sales, with electrical goods such as DVD players becoming the must-have item of the year.

However, others hint that shoppers are perhaps being a bit more cautious with their Christmas cash this year.

And while for shoppers battling through the crowds, waiting ages in queues and spending too much money is the downside.

Getting that much sought after item for a present to a relative can make it all worthwhile.

Neal Atherton, toy shop manager, at Mercers and Sons Ltd in Northgate, Blackburn said that shoppers have this year planned in advance to begin toy shopping earlier to prevent missing out.

Neal said: "We had a very busy start to the Christmas period in November and it hasn't been quite as hectic in the last couple of weeks as we expected.

"Then in the last couple of days it has picked up again.

"I think people are wiser with toys and know that you have got to buy a bit earlier if you want to get what you want.

"Butyou are always going to get last-minute shoppers."

Neal said there hasn't been one big toy this year, such as the Teletubbies or Buzz Lightyear in the past, instead there had been a spread of popular toys.

Ed Mallam, general manager at TJ Hughes in Church Street, Blackburn, said Christmas shoppers started even earlier at his store.

He added: "It's been very busy since the middle of October. That's when the build-up to Christmas starts.

"We are showing very healthy increases on last year. The financial people say these are bumper times but when they've said that in the past it hasn't been reflected around Blackburn, but it definitely has this year.

"The main trends for shoppers this year are electrical goods such as DVD players and TV Combis."

Chris Peacock, manager of Matalan in North Valley Retail Park in Colne, was a little more cautious.

He said: "It is probably going as expected. Its quite tough out there for everybody. We are going along what we are really expecting to be taking.

"Items that are doing well are nightwear, ladies and gents underwear, kids pyjamas and tableware. The sort of things which sell well year after year."

A spokesman for TK Maxx in Church Street, Burnley said: "We are having a good Christmas and our sales are doing well."

Marks and Spencer said they could not comment on their sales figures as they were entering a closed period.

TOP 5 BEST SELLERS

East Lancs Shoppers' Top Toys for Christmas 2002:

1. Beyblades -- a battling spinning top

2. Popstar Dance Mats -- hip dancing guides

3. Bow Wow Interactive Puppies -- virtual cuties

4. Bratz Dolls -- funky figures

5. Whats Her Face Doll -- girly favourite