Sales of towels and bedding have increased at a Shirehampton store as parents prepare to pack their children off to university.

Ashley West, manager of the Original Factory Shop, in High Street, said: "We've had loads of mums and dads coming in with their sons and daughters to buy them the bare necessities of life, things like towels, bedding, knives and forks, pots and pans and vacuum cleaners, things that they've never had to worry about before.

"Having children is expensive these days but parents will be able to get everything they need to prepare their children for university at much lower prices than the high street.

"And we're even getting grandparents in buying slippers and pyjamas as a farewell present for their grandchildren, although I'm not sure if either will be worn that much when they get to university."

The Original Factory Shop in Shirehampton took over the former Somerfield store earlier this year.