They're off to the sales!

Ravenside retail park was packed with visitors, with many having to overcome the difficult task of parking due to the heavy demand for spaces.

Computers, televisions and DVD players were among the most sought-after items and the re-opening of Tesco's after the short holiday had families stocking up for the New Year festivities.

The sheer volume of Glyne Gap shoppers led to tailbacks on De La Warr Road and queues stretching as far back as Pebsham Tip, on Bexhill Road.

The expected Christmas Eve shopping frenzy meterialised in the town centre as shoppers who had left it late made amends.

From Boxing Day onwards the town centre was busy with traders reporting excellent takings as the sales opened up.

Chris Wells, of shoe shop Wells and Sons, in Sackville Road, said: "It's going really well, and we have been very busy. We started the sale on Christmas Eve and that went quite well, but since yesterday (Tuesday) we have been extremely busy."

Brother Nick Wells added: "We have been busy for what is a genuine sale. Nothing has been bought in and what we don't sell will go back to normal price."

Drays, in Western Road, agreed that bumper takings could be on the cards.

Owner Ian Standley, said: "It has been brilliant, it is really going that well.

"I made a comment before Christmas about it being pretty average but it really is great now. We have just been so busy, there were six of us yesterday (Tuesday) which is in effect double staff and we were serving all the time.

"A lot of people have held off thinking prices would be cheaper in the sales - it doesn't always work like that because we had some good deals before Christmas, but generally we have a lot of reductions right across the range that weren't there before Christmas."

Prices were slashed across a variety of high street chain stores and independent outlets.