THERE were jingle tills across East Lancashire this weekend as Christmas shoppers hit stores for one last weekend of present buying.

Bosses at The Mall in Blackburn said the shops were ‘very busy’ as people looked for those last minute stocking fillers.

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It came as late Christmas shoppers nationally were expected to spend £1.2billion at the weekend on what was branded ‘Panic Saturday’.

Loraine Jones, general manager at the town centre venue, said: “It was very, very busy. 2pm wasour peak time and the car park was almost full on Saturday.

“It certainly had a very Christmassy feel to it.”

Loraine said she believed people still liked to come into the shop to see the the goods they wanted to purchase rather than relying solely on the internet.

She said: “I think people are still online shopping, but we offer a service, so people still go into the shops to look, touch and then buy the products.

“People are saying they are buying more online, but we will not know until we have the facts and figures.”

Karen Turner said she had gone to The Mall to start her Christmas shopping.

The 52-year-old said: “I have only just finished work so this is the beginning rather than the end.

“I have been buying toys, art stuff and stocking fillers for the kids, grandkids, friends and family.

“It has been really pleasant in town. Everybody has got a really good attitude and the buzz and excitement are there. You could hear it in the kids.”

Susan Southworth, 58, from Blackburn, said she had bought some gifts while in the town centre, but that she still had not finished all of her shopping.

She said: “I have just got one more present to get so I will come back on Tuesday to get it at the last minute.”