Sales fever has gripped Bradford as trade continues to boom across the city.

Shops enjoyed a pre-Christmas rush, bucking the national trend, with consumers flocking to buy presents in the city.

Now retailers are reporting the boom has continued during the first week of the sales.

At the refurbished Kirkgate Centre in Bradford, trade was up before Christmas and this has continued afterwards.

Catherine Riley, manager of the centre, said usage of their car-park - how the number of shoppers is measured - was 15 per cent up on the previous year during December, including the week after Christmas.

At Boots in the centre, sales figures have been significantly higher than the year before and the rush started earlier.

Ms Riley said the centre's branch of Clinton Cards had reported a boom, with this year's sales targets being beaten already.

And the Vodafone store has recorded the best increase in trade of all the company's stores in the region.

Ms Riley said she thought people had much more pride in the city and wanted to use its facilities.

"The feedback we have had is that Bradford people want to shop in Bradford rather than going somewhere else - there has been a sense of renewed pride."

She said the £4 million revamp of the Kirkgate Centre, along with their secure car-park, had attracted more shoppers.

Trade at department store Sunwin House, in Sunbridge Road, also showed a huge increase.

The store has recently undergone a facelift and among star performers were high-street fashion store concessions Oasis and Principles.

A spokesman for United Co-operatives, which owns the shop, said: "After a steady run-up to Christmas, sales in our department stores have taken a leap forward this week. Furniture, carpets and home textiles are doing well. And there is a big demand for wide screen televisions."

Andy Baxter, manager of HMV in Bradford, said trade had been fantastic.

"Since Christmas in particular it has been non-stop - every day has been really hectic."

Mr Baxter said custom at the Broadway store was up on last year and, after a slow start in December, sales had improved just before Christmas.

The Bradford boom bucks the national trend. Statistics from the Confederation of British Industry showed pre-Christmas sales fell for the first time in a decade.