Shoppers are snapping up festive bargains in a frenzy of Christmas Eve panic-buying.

Major retailers reported brisk business both on high streets and online as people made a flurry of last-minute purchases.

Supermarkets were also packed with people stocking up on festive food.

B&Q, the home improvement and garden centre retailer, has started an online and in-store sale.

Tesco began an online sale on Tuesday, with offers on furniture, homeware and sports products, followed by electrical items from 8pm on Thursday.

Electrical specialist Comet predicted its website would attract a record 1,682,200 visitors over Thursday, Friday and Boxing Day, with a surge of bargain-hunters going online between 7pm and 9pm on Christmas Day.

Department store Debenhams launched an online sale at 6am on Thursday, with doors open on Boxing Day at 7am for the in-store sales.

It was estimated that more than 13 million people would make a late dash to the shops.

Cabot Circus, Bristol’s newest shopping centre which opened in September last year, was cautiously optimistic about festive trade this year.

Richard Belt, director of the £500 million city centre development, said the mall had half a million visitors last week.