"THE bargains are there if you look for them" is the message from shoppers packed into Derby this weekend.
Thousands are spending their hard-earned cash as Christmas fast approaches and stores are using a host of offers to tempt them in.
In Derby's Intu Centre many of the shops were packed this afternoon as shoppers searched for gifts for loved ones, while Santa's Grotto saw queues forming as children looked to hand him their list of what they want to see him bring down their chimney on December 25.
Friends Sarah Hayes, 44, and Jackie Hrynczyszyn, 50, both of Ilkeston had taken the bus into Derby to try and find some bargains.
Sarah said: "I prefer shopping in Derby to Nottingham because although it is smaller everything is more central and compact so you can find the things you want easier.
"I have got a couple of bargains, the best of which was from M&S.
"I can't tell you what it is because it is a Christmas present, but it should have been £89 and I got it for £71.20 so I'm pretty pleased with that."
Jackie said she too preferred the ease of shopping in Derby compared to Nottingham.
She said: "With the Ilkeston Flyer it only takes 20 minutes to get into Derby whereas it can take more than 30 minutes to get to Nottingham city centre.
"There are bargains here in the shops if you look hard enough."
Major stores such as Debenhams are offering up to 50% off on selected items, as are H&M Kids and jewellers H Samuel.
Gift shop Smiggle has a 30% sale on some items and WH Smith is offering buy one get the other half price on some books.
Mother and daughter Jane Kinsey, 60 and Leanne Heathcote, 30, have come shopping in Derby from their home Burton.
Jane said: "I've picked up a few bargains but they're Christmas presents for family so I can't tell you what they are."
Leanne said: "Burton has a good range of shops but the choice is so much bigger in Derby so it's worthwhile coming here for that bigger selection."
Friends Holly Cowley, 17 and Emma Winfield, 21, both from Hilton, think the choice of shops in Derby is "excellent".
Holly said: "I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet but Emma has finished hers so I'm jealous.
"I've not found any bargains yet today but I'll keep looking."
Sandra Bell, of Kilburn, said her bargain of the day was finding herself three reading books for £5 in The Works.
The 67-year-old said: "The bargains are out there you just have to look hard to find them."
But Kira Horvath, 29, of Alvaston, said she hated the sales and preferred to pay full price to get way from the crowds.
She said: "I hate it, there's just too many people around."
