THOUSANDS of shoppers are expected to descend upon Basingstoke this weekend to visit the town's new Festival Place shopping and leisure complex.

A packed programme of events centred around the theme of metamorphosis have been laid-on from today through to Sunday, with something to suit all ages and tastes.

Since the opening of Festival Place on Tuesday, thousands of shoppers have been flocking to look at the £300million centre for the first time.

Exceeding all expectations, 70,000 people walked through the doors of the centre within the first day.

Festival Place is expected to bring an extra three million shoppers a year to the town, increasing visitor figures to 18 million.

Verdict, the retail analysts, predict that, following the opening of the development, Basingstoke will rise from being the 30th largest retail market in the south to the 17th.

Nationally, the town is expected to go up the rankings from 89th to 62nd.

Festival Place centre director Bernard Ferris said: "We were absolutely delighted by the amazing turnout on the opening day, which was 10 per cent higher than predicted.

"Festival Place is a vital element in the regeneration of Basingstoke.

"Finally, people here have the town centre they deserve."