SNOW and freezing temperatures failed to keep the bargain-hunters at home yesterday, as the annual post-Christmas sales started at stores across the South.

Hampshire's multi-million-pound West-Quay centre welcomed more than one million visitors in the run-up to Christmas and the shopping frenzy seems unrelenting.

People reportedly began queuing outside in the cold from 3.30am yesterday, for staff to open the doors to the Next sale at 6am.

The opening day of the Next sale - now a huge annual event across the country - started an hour earlier than last year, and the shop didn't close until 7pm.

One customer at Next, Sarah Cromer, 26, of Totton, said: "I was here at 5.45am. I do it every year. The queue stretched from the front of WestQuay to Littlewoods."

Their enthusiasm surprisingly unmarred by the pre-Christmas rush for presents, crowds packed WestQuay, Marlands and Above Bar, and satisfied managers reported brisk trade in city stores as the sale began.

At New Look in WestQuay, reductions were up to 70 per cent, while goods were half-price in many other shops, including Debenhams, River Island and BHS.

A spokesman for Debenhams said staff opened the doors at 8.30am to long queues.

John Lewis staff are bracing themselves for their annual clearance starting today.

Sarah Billet, store manager at Marks and Spencer, said: "The reaction to the sale has been outstanding. Customers are taking full advantage of the fabulous reductions, especially the ranges with 50 per cent off.

"This year the sale is on for two weeks only, so I'm sure this fortnight period is going to be a very busy, successful time for Marks and Spencer WestQuay."

WestQuay marketing manager Louise Hamer said: "Following the huge number of visitors to WestQuay during the build-up to Christmas, we are delighted to see even more returning to take advantage of the sales which have started in most stores."

Marlands manager Brandon Surtees expected 20,000 people to visit the shopping centre by end of yesterday - "It's not been quite as busy as last year, when we had about 30,000 through the doors on the first day. But it's not the numbers, it's what they're buying - and we won't know the sales figures for a while yet."

Boxing Day at Hedge End Retail Park saw bargain-hunters queueing to snap up half-price sofas and table and chair sets - "So far sales have been really good," said general manager Dilwyn Waymouth at Courts.

Despite recent flooding in Winchester city centre, High Street stores were pleased the adverse weather had not affected trading and most shops have extended their opening times to 7pm during the sales.

Both Debenhams and Marks and Spencer reported a slow morning start due to cold weather, but packed stores by lunchtime.

NEXT, PLEASE: Shoppers queue for their bargains at the Next outlet in WestQuay, Southampton. Pictures by Joanna Mann