SHOPPERS have been cramming into Swindon for what could prove a record-breaking spending spree.

Despite fears that a recession is on the way, bargain hunters have been out in force as town centre shops slash their prices by up to 50 per cent for the sales.

The knock-on effect has seen shoppers and traffic jam the town centre, with motorists trying to pack into the already overcrowded car parks.

Town centre manager, Bernie Maguire, said: "The town does seem extremely busy, maybe the busiest it's been for this time of year.

"All the car parks are full and the streets very busy with pedestrians."

Shoppers queued outside Next in Regent Street from 6am yesterday to grab the bargains. Store manager Maggie Jermain said that the store was packed as the sale kicked off.

Retailers in the Brunel Centre enjoyed a record Christmas and centre manager Nick Beaumont-Jones said they were on for record January sales too.

He said: "One of the indicators is how busy our car park is, and that's been full since about 10am almost unheard of on a Thursday."

Dick Force-Jones, deputy manager of the Virgin Megastore, in Canal Walk, said: "The sale started on Christmas Eve and has been going really well. We opened at 9am yesterday and there were queues already outside."

At House of Fraser, big discounts have been in the home and fashion departments whose manager, Justin Daubeney, said: "People were queuing outside at 7am."

Leanne Spackman, manager of Marks and Spencer, said there has been a steady stream of trade with people buying and not returning unwanted gifts.

It was the same story at the Great Western Designer Outlet Village, where visitor numbers for the sales were up at least nine per cent on last year.

Swindon Borough Council spokeswoman Lynda Fleming said: "The 'full' signs have been up on most of the council's car parks. The busiest has been Brunel North.

"Gridlock on the roads outside the car parks, especially on Fleming Way, makes it difficult for people to get out but this is outside the council's control.

"Overall, the sheer volume of traffic in Swindon is causing the problems."