CHANNEL-HOPPING shoppers are taking advantage of the weak pound and flocking to London to snap up famous French brands, retailers said today.

Chanel, Chloe and Louis Vuitton goods are proving most popular with the French shoppers, according to Selfridges.

The department store, which has a flagship shop in Oxford Street, said trade from France soared by 70 per cent in January and February compared with the same months last year. The trend held for shoppers from other countries using the euro, with trade growing by more than 40 per cent.

The pound's weakness means European customers can make big savings on purchases such as designers handbags, with a Chanel quilted leather bag costing the equivalent of £1,780 in Paris available at Selfridges for £1,525.

Euro shoppers are also snapping up British brands, with sales of Vivienne Westwood handbags up more than 50 per cent this year.

Selfridges' buying director, Anne Pitcher, said: "European customers have clearly resolved not to give up on life's uplifting luxuries and are coming to London to get them at the best possible price."

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