FEARS that Andover's revamped High Street sounded the death knell for shoppers have been proved wrong in the run-up to Christmas.

The Chantry Centre and High Street traders have reported strong sales this week as festive shoppers pick up last-minute presents and essentials in time for Christmas Day.

"The improvements in the town centre have reinforced Andover's place as a market town," said Chantry Centre manager Steve Cotney.

"Our stores have reported strong trading this Christmas. "Sunday trading has been particularly strong and we anticipate some major shopping sprees during the final countdown to Christmas," he added.

Independent High Street traders have also reported a busy Sunday - boosted by a bustling Hampshire Farmers' Market on 19 December.

Solitaire Jewellers owner Ken Whitehouse said more people browsed in his store because they were in town for the farmers' market.

"We are down on last year's trading because of the High Street work and I don't think we will catch up, but I think more people are leaving their shopping to the last minute this year because Christmas Day is on a Saturday," he said. A move from The Mall in Bridge Street to the Upper High Street has seen a boom in trading for Class Costumes Party Zone.

"There's been a huge improvement compared to last year's sales," said store partner and balloon decorator Dave Stan-bridge.

But a spokesman for one of the High Street's longest established stores, C & M DIY, said there had been no improvement.

"There's nothing here to offer Andover shoppers. "We lose them to West Quay in Southampton and Festival Place in Basingstoke," said C & M partner Chris Darley. Although it is a little early to establish exactly how well the town has done in the Christmas trade stakes, town centre manager Christine Cole said the last minute rush was all-important. For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser.