TILLS were ringing as Christmas shoppers came out in force for the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

From last-minute panic buyers to those hunting down that final elusive gift, thousands of people were out armed with credit cards or ready to splash the cash.

Retailers were hoping to jingle all the way to the bank over the weekend on what was billed as Panic Saturday and Stampede Sunday.

And shoppers in S o u t h a m p t o n ’ s WestQuay Shopping Centre did not disappoint with a whopping 160,000 people expected through the doors throughout the weekend.

WestQuay bosses said that Saturday alone saw more than 85,000 people venture to the centre in the ten hours of trading.

Gina Windsor, marketing manager at WestQuay, said: “We have been really pleased with the numbers that have been coming through.”

Long list Hundreds of people steadily s t r e a m e d through the centre, clutching dozens of bulging carrier bags packed with gifts for their loved ones.

Some were there to pick up some lastminute essentials for the perfect Christmas dinner, but others faced a daunting complete present list.

But there were bargains to be had as plenty of shops were offering discounts and early sales got under way.

WestQuay has been open until 10pm all of last week and Mrs Windsor said that didn’t deter shoppers who had left it until the weekend.

And what’s more, they’re expecting bumper numbers to visit the shopping centre today for the last full day of shopping.

She added: “Over the last few years there has been a trend for people to leave their shopping until the last minute.

“We’re expecting, as Christmas comes on Wednesday, that many people feel like they have a few extra days with Monday and Tuesday, so we’re expecting a good turnout on those days - a lot of people are off work."