SHOPPERS are defying the recession and have been flocking to the West End since the Christmas lights were turned on last week.

The number of bargain hunters in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street was up 11.6 per cent on last year between Friday and Sunday. Sunday was the best day with 17.4 per cent more people crowding into central London's shopping district.

On Oxford Street shopper numbers were up 20.1 per cent. Store managers said the strength of the euro and that the lure of the Oxford Street and Regent Street lights had attracted more people than expected.

French, Italian and German visitors are in London in record numbers, taking advantage of the 20 per cent devaluation of the pound against the euro over the past week. With promotional price cutting on top, some luxury goods are 30 to 40per cent cheaper in sterling terms than a year ago.

Selfridges said it was able to price a D&G Lily bag selling for £863 in Paris at £695, or 20 per cent less, in London due to the weak pound.

There has also been a surge in tourism from the British provinces in recent days with large numbers of coach parties coming in to see the lights and a West End show. Richard Dickinson, chief executive of the New West End Company, which represents traders in the three main shopping streets, said: "Fashions sold well yesterday, with fashion accessories continuing to perform well across the area.

"Retailers reported a continued strong international presence but said that UK domestic shoppers were also notably out in force with gift selections selling in respectable quantities."

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