SHOPPERS in search of a bargain have been out in force in the district this Boxing Day.

A long queue of customers was seen outside sonic Megastore, in Ingleby Road.

The winter sale started at 9am today.

General manager Robert Mucha said the queue was "well into the hundreds" when the doors opened and business was brisk as shoppers entered the store looking for their particular bargain.

He said 55" smart TV's from £349, American fridge freezers from £399, and washing machines under £100 were just some of the offers available.

Mr Mucha said: "It's the same every year. The locals love a bargain and have no problem in queuing early to ensure they get what they want."

Reports of busy trading in The Broadway have also been made with a high footfall of bargain hunters eager to spend their Christmas cash.

General manager Ian Ward said: “The Christmas shopping period is always the busiest, and this year was no exception at The Broadway. By the end of the trading period, we’ll have seen an increase of 1.5 million customers over last year.

“We are expecting an increased in footfall in January as shoppers take advantage of the sales, and even start buying presents for Christmas 2018. With The Light cinema due to open in early 2018, and even more outdoor restaurants arriving soon, we’re confident we’ll be welcoming even more people to the centre next year.”

There were similar scenes of sales queues in Keighley as fears that Black Friday and online shopping could scupper the traditional post-Christmas high street bargain bonanza proved unfounded.

The Next store, in the Airedale Shopping Centre, opened its doors at 6am to a queue of more than 100 people.

And the shop was still busy over two hours into trading.

"I'm very pleased with the initial response," said store manager Amanda Terry.

"We had about 110 people waiting when we opened.

"It eased off a little but then there was a resurgence.

"We took part in Black Friday this year for the first time, with reductions on a couple of selected lines.

"But the traditional Boxing Day sales are still the main event for us."

Other stores were staring their sales at 10am that day.

Next year could see even more customers making their way to Bradford's shops if trains on Boxing Day run.

The terms of the Northern Rail franchise mean that 60 services must be provided by the company on December 26, 2018

Keighley MP John Grogan put a motion to the House of Commons: "That this House expresses its deep disappointment that once again during this Christmas season the railways will undergo a 58-hour shutdown with no services whatsoever being provided on the overwhelming majority of lines."

He asked the House to call on the Department for Transport, Transport for London, Transport for the North, the Combined Authorities, the Association of Train Operating Companies and Network Rail "to work together to ensure that from 2019 an adequate rail service is provided on Boxing Day nationwide and that all future rail franchises have provisions for Boxing Day services".

He said: "West Yorkshire has had buses on Boxing Day for a number of years now which are well used. Why not Trains?

"I have suggested to Northern Rail who have to provide 60 services next Boxing Day under the terms of their franchise that they start the experiment on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines."