Dash 'n' grab!

The frenzied scene at a London perfume counter was repeated around the country as shoppers besieged stores on the first day of the sales. Police were deployed to keep 'public order' yesterday with an estimated 10million customers spending nearly £3billion on what was thought to be the busiest Boxing Day in history. Many queued through the night to secure a prime position.

• Selfridges took £1.5m in first hour - most successful first 60 minutes ever
• Number of shoppers out across UK was up by a fifth compared to last year
• Boom has been fuelled by rich tourists from Middle East, China and Nigeria
• Retailers slash prices and opened as early as 6am to entice consumers
• Customers literally grab bargains as they are handed out by shop staff
• Next in Leeds operated ten in, ten out policy to control massive crowds
• Manchester's Trafford Centre enjoys 'biggest' Boxing Day sale in its history