There was no shortage of Boxing Day bargain hunters in Bradford city centre as shoppers flocked to seek out the best of the sales today.

At the end of a difficult year’s trading on the high street, huge discounts lured people away from the television and internet sales deals, and into stores.

Discounts ranged from as high as 75 per cent off at Waterstones bookshop, Au Naturele home interiors and gifts and WH Smiths to half-price lines at the likes of clothing retailers Burtons and Dorothy Perkins.

Hoards of shoppers descended on entertainment retailer Zavvi, which started a clearout sale, two days after it landed in administration – with some DVDs going for as little as £1.99.

Forster Square Retail Park was full by 10am with a stock clearance sale at sportswear giant JJB Sports attracting shoppers. Next door, Comet reported its discounted electrical goods were flying off the shelves.

Robert Carr, store manager at Comet, said: “We are well up on last year after two hours of trading. Big TVs are proving most popular, we’re offering up to 30 to 40 per cent off on certain lines. We have bought a lot of stock and we are expecting a good time of it.”

The Kirkgate Centre in Ivegate was busy. More than two dozen shoppers eagerly queued up outside Boots which opened at 11am, later than most stores.

Hussain Maroof, 32, of Lidget Green, Bradford, queued for two hours but was disappointed to find sales confined to specific lines.

“It was a bit poor this year but I’ve been elsewhere and bought some clothing from River Island, New Look for shoes and cardigans and the Body Shop,” he said.

Rita Bisson, 62, of Fagley, Brad-ford, said: “I was there at 10am, I always come for the Boots half-price sale. I’ve done very well. I’ve got perfume and I’ve just been into Primark and bought a skirt.”

Ardent Bradford sales shopper Trish Owens was not just spending on herself. She said: “I’ve bought clothes and toiletries and I’ve starting on the Christmas cards for next year.”

But the busy scenes were too much for some. Steve Paxton, 23, of Allerton, Bradford, was keen to be in and out of town as quick as he could. He said: “I hate shopping. There’s too many people. I bought a recordable set-top box and a football shirt.”