SOUTHAMPTON shopkeepers are rubbing their hands in anticipation of healthy profits after Christmas shoppers almost brought the city to a standstill over the weekend.

Tills rather than bells were jingling in stores across the shopping area as traders reported a bumper festive season.

WestQuay shopping centre reported its 4,000-space car parks full on several occasions on Saturday as many of the staggering two million people expected to visit the centre during December left it late to bag the perfect gift.

A spokesman for the centre said: "It's been an exceedingly great year. The past few weeks have been phenomenal."

Toys were flying off the shelves at the centre's Gamleys shop, where fighting spinning tops called Bey Blades have proved to be this year's number one gift. Stocks have now run out, although there are plenty of the number two toy, Micro Pets, still available.

Manager Andy Hall said: "We are rushed off our feet. Saturday was extremely busy and when I opened yesterday there were queues of people outside."

Civic Centre Road's London Camera Exchange reported hectic sales.

"Digital cameras are what everybody wants for Christmas this year and business has been good," said manager Tony Clark.

Mobile phones are well established as a Christmas favourite and this year is no exception, says Mark Teppett, manager of Above Bar's Phones 4U.

"It's been manic," he said. "Since we opened the door we have had people piling in. It's been chaos."

He said colour phones with picture messaging had been the big sellers, along with "thousands" of pay-as-you-go models being snapped up.

Anything football-related will put smiles on the faces of youngsters on the big day and The Saints Store was enjoying a brisk trade in strips.

Supervisor Zoe Richardson said: "It has been very, very busy indeed. Business is a lot better than last year."

But it's not been good for everyone. Some shoppers, too, were left cold by the crowds.

"It's ridiculous, absolute murder," said 16-year-old Chris Collings, a pupil at Testwood School in Totton.

"I haven't been enjoying my last-minute Christmas shopping. I think I'll try and do it earlier next year."