Many shops and stores in Keighley centre have reported surprisingly high Christmas spending figures.

But others, including Woolworths, say sales have been hit by the bus station re-development and lack of parking spaces.

Figures confirmed this week show the Airedale Centre attracted over 220,000 customers a week in the run up to Christmas.

Marks & Spencer store manager Ruth Parker, pictured, said: "Trade was extremely good in the week running up to Christ-mas, both in terms of money taken and the number of people who came through the door.

"Clothes and gifts have been our best selling items.

She said: "We have done much better than expected, especially with problems such as the bus station being closed and the lack of parking.

"The number of customers was 10 per cent higher than we had estimated, which is great."

She added: "We have done much better in December this year than we did last year. This is a good indication for Marks & Spencer as a whole."

Woolworths' service team leader Graham Whiteley said: "Christmas trade was okay but it was nothing special.

"Our sales have been affected by the bus station being closed and customer parking is a major problem.

He added: "Our sale, which started on Boxing Day, attracted just 4,000 customers this year as against 7,000 last year."

Next manager Debbie Ashcroft said: "We did fine over the Christmas period and met our targets.

"The sales started at 6am and there was a queue outside.

"It has been heaving and now there is a nice steady flow.

"We should do well because there is plenty of good stock," she said.

Sainsbury's duty manager Martyn Nicholson added: "Sales have been extremely good. Figures are up on last year.

"Sunday was our busiest day by far, with people leaving their shopping until then."

The Beeches Toby Hotel and Restaurant assistant manager Elizabeth Barga said: "We have been busy on the run up to Christmas and even on Boxing Day.

"We had one sitting on Christmas Day made up of parties, families and couples."