Shoppers were filling their bags with bargains in Uxbridge last week as high street stores slashed their prices during Christmas shopping season.

Sales staff at Debenhams in The Chimes shopping centre were out on the high street alerting shoppers to their 25 per cent off sale, and BHS, also in The Chimes, and Marks and Spencer across the High Street also cut their prices in a bid to breathe life into the sluggish retail market.

As the country braces itself for a 'credit crunch Christmas' of reduced spending, bargain-hunters were out in force.

One was Lorraine Martin, 36, from Uxbridge, who was carrying several large Debenhams bags.

She said: "I've probably saved about £50-60 today.

"It isn't all my Christmas shopping done, but there a good few bits and pieces.

"I came down specially for the sale."

Josef Vernazza, 64, from Hillingdon, who was shopping with his wife, Jennifer, also made savings.

He said: "We saved almost £15. We found buy-one, getone-free deals - half price. It has been worth it.

"We bought wine glasses and a jumper as well as a few other Christmas presents."

Kath Johnson, 56, who was shopping with her niece, Karen Clarke, 39, also enjoyed making most of the discounts.

Ms Johnson said: "We've saved a good 10 per cent on all the perfume we bought, so I'm glad we came.

"We're here every week anyway, but it's good to find a bargain."

And Priye Mataru, 19, a student at Brunel University, said: "I bought a jumper from Debenhams. I only saved a fiver but it all counts."