IPSWICH: It was a bargain-hunter’s paradise as the post-Christmas sales enticed thousands of people into the town centre.

Shoppers revelled among the hundreds of sale signs yesterday, taking advantage of the rock-bottom prices – with legions more expected to venture to the shops again today.

Despite the frosty temperatures, queues quickly formed outside high street stores and traders were left delighted as the ringing of cash tills filled the air.

Last week’s icy blast caused concerns for traders as people left their Christmas shopping to the last minute to avoid the extreme weather.

But Mike Sorhaindo, centre manager for Tower Ramparts shopping centre, said that a mixture of low prices and the pre-VAT rise rush saw them flocking to the town centre yesterday.

He said: “It is difficult to say how well it has gone, but it has been a very busy day for us here.

“We expected and hoped that it would be busy as it usually is this time of year.

“We have had a great couple of days, from lots of people spending on the sales, to others exchanging gifts.

“Another reason people flocked to the town was probably due to the pre-VAT rise.”

Meanwhile, the Buttermarket opened from 9.30am until 5pm – instead of the usual Bank Holiday hours.

Andrew Wilcox, operations manager for the centre, expected the town to remain busy throughout the next week.

“We are extremely hopeful that we will remain this busy throughout the last few days of this year and into January.

“As more and more shops start unveiling their January sales, it looks set to be very busy – which we are all very happy about.”

n What do you think of the town sales? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or alternatively you can send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk