Supermarket shoppers experienced the most frantic minute of the year yesterday morning, according to one chain.

Research by Bradford-based Morrisons suggested that 11.44am on December 23 would be the busiest time of the year, with 45 trolleys per second expected to be going through its checkouts.

Nationally, the chain extended opening hours, pulled head office staff onto the shop floor and offered overtime to cope with demand in December. For the first time this year Morrisons stores will also open on Boxing Day.

At the company’s Westgate store, customers were queuing about ten deep at 11.44am.

General manager Mick Preston said: “It’s been very good.”

He said there had been no issues with stock running low and he expected shoppers to leave satisfied.

“It will be manic like this all day tomorrow too,” he added.”

Meanwhile city centre traders have also reported a pre-Christmas boost.

The manager of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre Catherine Riley said it had been “extremely busy” .

According to research by TSB, Yorkshire is going local this year with nearly two thirds of people choosing to shop at small independent outlets and local Christmas markets. This compares with 41 per cent of Yorkshire's shoppers who will do their shopping at high street chains and a third who will travel to shopping centres.

Director and co-owner of Table Decor, an independent homeware and gift shop, Chris Bexon said: “The most popular gifts this year are small ‘pick me-up’ gifts.

“People are very conscious of monetary problems and want to get more for their money.”

Other independent businesses have also noticed the decrease in people buying bigger items and looking for smaller gifts that are affordable and different.

Debbie Wood owns a small souvenir business and this year has taken on a new six-week project, #Shop1, selling goods from 14 local businesses.

She said: “I’ve sold a lot of fair trade gifts.”

And today could be busier still with a report suggesting 17.5 million people will hit stores on Christmas Eve.