All the evidence we have is that any worries about the economy have not had an impact on Christmas shopping

Tom Nathan Brent Cross shopping centre

AA Roadwatch said traffic was heavy on the approach to most major airports and to the large shopping centres.

Driving conditions were made treacherous by snow showers in Scotland and on the east coast.

But the weather did not put off shoppers in London's Oxford Street. Queues formed outside several shops before opening time, and most were packed by mid-morning.

At the HMV store sales got going an hour early to accommodate the rush.

Brent Cross shopping centre in north London reported the busiest day of the year so far, with 40 staff employed just to organise the car parking as customers flooded in.

There were no signs of an imminent economic slowdown in London on Saturday

Commercial director Tom Nathan said: "All the evidence we have is that any worries about the economy have not had an impact on Christmas shopping.

"Many people seem to have left their Christmas shopping late this year, so it's packed today."

Sales across the country rose last month and the upbeat mood appears to have fed through to December, with stores selling clothing and household goods recording the biggest growth.

Bluewater, Europe's largest shopping centre, near Dartford, in Kent, was expecting more than 100,000 people through its doors.

"Overall this Christmas we are anticipating an increase in sales of 10% on last year with retailers taking �220m in the eight weeks up to Christmas," a spokesman said.

The managers are wearing very wide smiles

Lakeside shopping centre

The 300-outlet Lakeside shopping centre in Essex was heaving, with managers confidently predicting that takings would be significantly up on last year.

A spokesman said: "The managers are wearing very wide smiles. It's been a terrific week and is extremely busy again today. It's going to be non-stop now until Monday evening."

At the Oracle in Reading, Berks, nearby car parks were full by 0930GMT on Saturday as shoppers arrived early for last minute present hunting.

Greater Manchester Police described the city around the Trafford Centre as "absolutely packed".

Even the snow failed to put shoppers off

Paul Lancaster, regional manager at Marks and Spencer in Liverpool city centre, said trade was twice as brisk as it was last weekend.

A spokesman for the Queensgate centre in Peterborough said: "Business is booming and we're definitely on par with last year and may even be showing an increase."

Meanwhile, in Scotland some shopping centres had up to 35% more customers than the same period last year and a number recorded profits up 20%.

Susan Nicol, business director at the Gyle Centre in Edinburgh, said 70,000 people had visited on Saturday morning.

"I don't know if it is because of recent tragic events in the US or all the talk of the recession but people seem more willing to spend at the moment," she said.

We had thought the snow would put people off but nothing could be further from the truth

Aileen Adam Glasgow's Bon Accord Centre

Hamish Millar, centre manager at Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow, said: "Things are absolutely crazy with about 35% more people coming through the doors and profits up between 15 to 20% on last year, it is such good news."

He said consumers seemed to have been encouraged to spend more this festive season because of the current low interest and credit rates.

Bob Baldry, general manager at the Braehead Centre, near Glasgow, said turnover had increased by 30% on 2000.

Aileen Adam, duty manager at the city's Bon Accord Centre, said: "We had thought the snow would put people off but nothing could be further from the truth."

Both the MacArthur Glen shopping complex in Bridgend, south Wales, and Bristol's Cribb's Causeway were reporting healthy sales figures.

Cardiff's St David's Centre was also full of shoppers.