NORTH-EAST shoppers have got wise to sales tactics by saving cash in the run-up to Christmas to take advantage of the big reductions in prices afterwards.

Rather than spending money on gifts, presents of cash and gift vouchers have been given at Christmas to allow people to get more for their money in the sales.

The general manager of Gateshead's MetroCentre, Ron Woodward, said there had been a 17 per cent increase in gift voucher sales before Christmas.

He said: "It seems that shoppers are getting very canny and clever and are keeping their money back until after Christmas."

At factory outlet Dalton Park, at Murton, County Durham, customer numbers were up by 10,000 this week, with 80,000 people visiting the centre.

Centre director David Gosling said that although numbers were good before Christmas, most people were not spending.

But now, with many stores offering 70 per cent off, bargain hunters have ensured sales are well up.

Mr Gosling said: "We weren't sure what to expect. This is the centre's first Christmas, but the first couple of days of the sale period have been very good indeed."

At the Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough, 24,000 shoppers went through the doors on Boxing Day when only four stores were open.

But the number almost quadrupled on Saturday, with more than 80,000 shoppers.

A spokesman for Binns store, in Darlington, said it had been extremely busy when it opened on Saturday.

Gillian Johnson said: "We were open from 8.30am to 7pm, and it was busy all the time."