Bristol retailers were besieged by more than 250,000 shoppers on the Boxing Day weekend hoping to snap up a bargain as prices were slashed in a tough year for traders.

On Boxing Day some shoppers queued outside the branches of Next in Cabot Circus and at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, from 5.30am, to be the first through the doors to bag a good deal when they opened at 7am.

Yesterday almost as many were expected again as thousands descended on shopping centres in and around the city.

At John Lewis in The Mall yesterday there were 1,000 people at each entrance before the store had even opened.

The Mall, Cabot Circus and Broadmead all reported an increased footfall for the weekend.

At Cabot Circus on Boxing Day, among those happy with their bargains were Kim Matthews, 44, with her three daughters, Sasha, 10; Nicole, 12; and Jasmine, 14; and her sister-in-law, Claire Thorne, 34.

Mrs Matthews, an administrator, of Hanham, said: "We got to Cabot Circus at about 9.30am. We're all out looking for a bargain and the children are spending their Christmas money."

Elaine Frayling, 49, and her husband Ken, 50, came from Cardiff to the sales in Bristol.

Mrs Frayling, a care assistant, said: "I bought a coat in River Island for £45; it was originally £70. I'm looking for a pair of boots."

Husband and wife James and Melody Dix, of Hengrove, picked up some bargains in La Senza.

Mr Dix, 29, a systems engineer, said: "All the shops are trying to shift their old Christmas stock. We are going to have a look at what's on offer in The Galleries as well."

Kunal Kumra, 29, an IT professional from St George, said: "I came in first thing this morning. I'm normally working, so it's good to be able to look around the sales for a bargain."

Emily Prouse, 20, a photography student from the University of the West Of England, was out shopping early with her dad Robin, 43, and sister Becky, 17.

Ms Prouse, of Severn Beach, said: "We got up early to be the first in the queues. I've bought stuff in La Senza, Republic, Accessorize, and Cult."

Tom Briztow, 21, and his friend David Rodriguez, 21, both of Chew Valley, were looking for clothes for New Year's Eve celebrations.

Mr Briztow, a caterer, found some brown leather shoes in Next reduced from £65 to £30, and Mr Rodriguez, a security officer, bought two tops from Republic for £50, saving £25.

James Bailey, Cabot Circus centre manager, said: "Footfall has been up by around 25 per cent and the majority of our retailers are very pleased with sales performance.

"Footfall has increased week-on-week despite the icy weather conditions, and we saw an influx of customers during the last shopping days before Christmas, with around 150,000 visitors on December 23 to 24.

"Boxing Day has been very successful, with shoppers keen to make the most of the sales this year, particularly as many retailers are already offering up to 75 per cent off."

At Cribbs Causeway, commercial director John Edwards said that about 80,000 people came to The Mall on Boxing Day alone.

He said of December 26: "It has gone very well. It all started at 7am with the Next sale. The car parks were full by 8am, and some people were queuing as early as 5.30am."

While at Broadmead, manager John Hirst said: "Footfall into Broadmead continues to be ahead of plan. The post Christmas bargain hunters arrived very early on Boxing Day and we envisage the busy period lasting until when the schools re-open in early January."

Yesterday traffic was at a crawl on the M4, M5 and M32 as bargain hunters headed for the city and for the out-of-town shopping centre at Cribbs Causeway.

John Lewis managing director John Hayes said: "We had reached a fifth of our day's target in the first half-hour.

"John Lewis has had some record weeks in the run-up to Christmas but I don't think it means we are out of the recession yet. Customers want a break from the doom and gloom in the sales.

"I suspect this year coming will be a challenge but we are well geared up for it."

Shoppers in the queues for the tills were treated to chocolates while they waited.

Manager of Boots in Broadmead, Graham George, reported a very busy two days. He said: "There were people queuing outside when we opened at 11am and Boxing Day was just as manic. Between noon and 1pm it just went mad."

One tired husband Ben Privett, 36, was sitting on the floor at The Mall with his children Sydney, five, and Connor, four, and an assortment of bags while his wife Claire went back for more bargains.

Mr Privett, 36, a project manager from Emerson's Green, said: "We bought some things in Next and Game and something in Clark's.

"We have only been here an hour – my wife knows her way around the shops."