MIDNIGHT shoppers are set to spend tens of millions of pounds during late-night trips to three major retail centres.

Tonight marks the countdown to Christmas, with scores of stores staying open later than usual in an attempt to cash in on the last-minute festive rush.

Midnight shopping gets underway tonight at Braehead and Glasgow Fort and will continue for the next seven days, while Silverburn traders stay open until 11pm.

All three malls will generate sales between now and Christmas worth tens of millions as retailers gear up for a final push with many items heavily discounted.

Midnight shopping was pioneered nine years ago by Glasgow Fort, where bosses say it has brought a spend of £75million.

General manager Phil Goodman says tens of thousands of shoppers will visit the East End mall every night. He said: "Midnight opening has been very popular with our shoppers and we are delighted that it is now back for its ninth year.

"It gives people the flexibility of knowing there is no rush and they can choose their Christmas presents carefully.

"There's something quite exciting about shopping late into the evening and there is a fantastic buzz about the park."

Braehead is another popular mall expecting to be flooded with shoppers this week.

Gary Turnbull, general operations manager, said: "Our midnight opening from today until December 23, including the weekend, is hugely popular with shoppers as it gives people more choice when they do their Christmas shopping.

"The extended opening hours is just one of the reasons we are seeing a big increase in the amount of shoppers coming to Braehead, especially when you factor in the 6500 free parking spaces and the other leisure facilities like the cafes, restaurants and champagne bar, which people can enjoy while they buy their Christmas gifts."

Silverburn is the newest of the city's major malls. At a cost of £350m, it opened in Pollok in 2007 and is currently undergoing a £20m extension which includes restaurants and a cinema.

Traders have so far resisted midnight opening but from tonight they will stay open until 11pm, which is expected to boost takings by millions.

General manager David Pierotti said: "We've had a really busy month so far and we're seeing menswear, sleepwear, gadgets and home gifts as the top sellers."

More than 100,000 meals are expected to be served up at restaurants and cafes in Silverburn with predictions that more than 25,000 party dresses and outfits will be sold this week.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk