Pre-Christmas shopping fever gripped York as the sale to end all sales brought crowds flocking to the city centre.

The 'York's Here' promotion, backed by the Evening Press, saw an offer of ten per cent off everything at almost 100 shops in the centre of York yesterday.

Such was the success of the promotion that it even spread to shops not originally involved, which slapped the 'ten per cent off' tag on goods as a response to the crowds which swelled the city streets.

Shoppers could be seen struggling under the weight of several bags each as they carefully made their way through the crowds.

A ten per cent off coupon was printed on two nights in the Evening Press after the offer was dreamt up by a group of city retailers wanting to put the smiles back on the faces of local people following the chaos endured during the floods.

It was also part of the Evening Press-backed York's Here campaign to make it clear that the city is well and truly back in business after the floods.

One happy shopper who had taken advantage of the prices at BHS, said: "I was surprised that they were including items in the offer that were already reduced.

"There were lots of people and you had to wait quite a while in the queues. I suppose that was the only drawback."

Susan Allick, store manager at BHS, said the day had been a huge success.

"It was interesting to see how many people knew about it and had their coupons ready. Certainly from our store's point of view, it was very, very successful.

"It was good to go out during the lunch hour and see just how many people were about and how the other stores were doing.

"I think we've only scratched the surface here, but we've taken some serious money."

Roland Harris, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said there was "a great deal of enthusiasm" among retailers involved in the promotion.

He said: "The response has been unprecedented. Over 80 shops were involved in the promotion.

"We are pleased that so much has been achieved so quickly and there will be more activity over the next few weeks to attract locals and visitors into York, including advertising competitions."