THOUSANDS of bargain-hunters crammed Glasgow streets for the Boxing Day sales bonanza.

Retailers slashed prices as store bosses were hoping to see record numbers of shoppers flooding through their doors.

Despite freezing temperatures, some people began queueing as early as 4.30am yesterday, in anticipation of being first into stores.

Branches of the Next clothing chain opened at 6am, attracting thousands of customers.

In Buchanan Galleries and Braehead, hoards of shoppers were in the queue before dawn.

Nick Hewitson, 55, who is from Australia, was back in Glasgow visiting family, when he decided to hit the shops with his wife Lavina(corr).

He said: "We've picked up a bit of everything, jumpers, shoes, the lot.

"There are Boxing Day sales in Melbourne too, but we prefer the shops here."

Mother and daughter, Nabila and Sarah Rasul, snapped up bargains in Buchanan Street yesterday morning.

Sarah, 16, said: "We are trying to be organised and are buying gifts for friends and relatives' birthdays next year.

"I've spotted a few things already."

Kathy Murdoch, centre manager at Buchanan Galleries, said: "Boxing Day at Buchanan Galleries is always a big event.

"And this year has not disappointed, with shoppers queuing in Buchanan Street from the early hours waiting for Next to officially start the sales.

"All of our stores have benefitted from this early morning rush and now the sales are in full swing, with savvy shoppers keen to make the most of the sales and bag the best bargains.

"We fully expect to be just as busy as John Lewis begins its Clearance Sale at 8am."

At St Enoch, staff were expecting 100,000 people to come through the doors.

Anne Ledgerwood, general manager at St Enoch Centre, said: "We traditionally attract around 100,000 shoppers on Boxing Day as people look to bag a bargain in the sales.

"We've enjoyed strong footfall during this festive season so far, supported by our busiest ever seasonal events programme."

Smartphones, TVs, tablets and computers were among the most popular items in the big rush as prices were slashed on many gadgets.

General manager at intu Braehead, Gary Turnbull said: "People were driving into our car parks and queuing up as early as 4.30am waiting for the first stores - Next, Marks and Spencer, JD Sports and Sports Direct - to open at 6am.

"At one point the queue stretched from one end of the centre to the other between the doors of Next and Marks and Spencer.

"We brought in extra staff to direct traffic in the free car parks, which quickly filled up and as the day went on, the centre became even busier.

"After their sales sortie was over, many of the shoppers stayed to enjoy the cafes, restaurants and leisure facilities we have on offer."

Online shoppers were expected to spend £748 million on Boxing Day, and make 167 million visits to retail sites - up 29% on last year, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.

More than 60,000 shoppers flocked to Glasgow Fort yesterday.

Phil Goodman, centre manager, said:"This has been one of our busiest shopping seasons ever and the Boxing Day sales were certainly no exception.

"People have been laden with bags throughout the day, taking advantage of some of the great offers our retailers are promoting.

"Our restaurants have also been very busy with people looking to fuel up to continue their shopping."