Bumper crowds for the post-Christmas sales are forecast in Torfaen (From Free Press Series)

Bumper crowds for the post-Christmas sales are forecast in Torfaen

STORES throughout Torfaen are reporting a successful Christmas trade and say bumper crowds are forecast for the post-Christmas sales.

After a slow period in early December, which left many traders fearing a bleak Christmas period, shoppers flocked to high street stores in the final week before Christmas in a rush to buy presents.

Many of the major stores in the area reported an increase in sales from last year and said that pattern was being followed by post-Christmas bargain-hunters.

A spokesman from River Island in Cwmbran said: "We have had a fantastic Christmas with figures showing a lift on the year, and it is the same for our Newport store.

"We did not open for Boxing Day but our figures on December 27 were fantastic."

Peacocks store on Crane Street in Pontypool, which was open for only its second Christmas following its opening in October 2004, reported sales to be up 20 percent on Christmas last year.

The store was one of a number built as part of the town's £10 million regeneration plan to attract more shoppers and boost the economy. Pontypool trader Wendy Thomas, who runs ladies clothing boutique Zenith in Pontypool town centre, said sales were good and more people had been in the town than in previous years.