BATH retailers are managing what promises to be the busiest sales week of the year.

Despite gloomy predictions of a recession, shop owners are confident that sales figures over the next few weeks will go through the roof.

Stores such as Marks & Spencer and HMV say they are expecting hectic scenes when letting in bargain hunters on December 27.

Nick Romans, customer services manager at Marks & Spencer said: "The first day of the sale will probably be our busiest day of the year in terms of volumes of people. We will be very busy. The level of our clothing sales can be as high in that week as any week in the run up to Christmas.

"The average reduction will be around 38 per cent, although some items will have as much as 60 per cent taken off. Most are autumn lines that we are trying to clear."

Home entertainment retailer HMV, on Stall Street, is also getting ready for its massive 'Clearout' promotion.

Carol Perera, spokesperson for the store said: "Our January sales are always a tremendous success. Many people get gift vouchers or money for Christmas that they want to spend in the sales. People queue up outside many stores to get in early. We think it's going from strength to strength every year."

Homeowners seeking something to liven up their living room look set to besiege the BHS Homestore in Southgate over the next few days.

Assistant manager Rosie Richards said: "It is very busy in the first few days as people are pushing and hustling to get through, thinking they'll miss a bargain.

"But we are also busy because people come back with Christmas presents that they need to exchange and use that money instead on sale items."

One store that always sees eager faces at its doors come December 27 is Jolly's, the department store owned by retail legends House of Fraser.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We have done exceptionally well during the January sales over the past few years.

"This year will see a great deal of people coming to Jolly's, due to the perfect December shopping weather we have been getting throughout this month and also, after the events of this year, less people are going abroad for January and the New Year."