Shoppers brave wind and rain to hit Boxing Day sales

Thousands of bargain hunters have hit the stores to take advantage of discounts of up to 70% in the Boxing Day sales.

Shopping centres across Scotland reported high demand for reduced-price electronics, perfume, fashion and jewellery.

People braved the wind and rain to travel to big discounters such as Next from 3.30am, while others went online to part with their Christmas cash.

At Silverburn in Glasgow, almost 1,200 people had come through the doors in the first hour of opening.

The centre said it was expecting about 60,000 shoppers on Saturday - up around 10% on last year.

General manager David Pierotti said: "Boxing Day is always one of our busiest days of the year and we were delighted to welcome shoppers on the official start of the post-Christmas sales, with queues from 4.30am."

Glasgow Fort said people started queuing outside the centre's Next store from 3.30pm, with about 300 waiting when the doors opened at 6am.

Crowds also formed outside Marks and Spencer ahead of its 8am opening.

Centre manager Phil Goodman said: "Pre-Christmas is all about thinking about others.

"Post-Christmas we can be a bit selfish and see what bargains we can get for ourselves. We have enjoyed a particularly buoyant festive season and, with lots of great deals to be had, we expect to be busy right through the week leading to New Year."

In Edinburgh, shoppers traditionally flock to luxury department store Harvey Nichols for cut-price designer goods.

About 100 people queued outside the St Andrew Square shop ahead of its 10am opening, with handbags among the most sought-after purchases.

Around 57,000 shoppers were expected at Aberdeen's Union Square, where bargain hunters were picking up some items with as much as 70% off.

At intu Braehead, outside Glasgow, manager Gary Turnbull said it was the busiest start to the Boxing Day sales the centre had seen "for years".

Ian McLelland, director at the EK centre in East Kilbride, said: "The centre has been packed all day. Despite many retailers starting their sales pre-Christmas, shoppers are well aware that there are still plenty of deals to be found across fashion, toys, games, jewellery and electronics."