Bargain-hunters braved freezing temperatures to queue at Next and River Island in Waterloo Square, South Shields, which began their sales at 7am on Saturday.

However, by the time Andrew Martin, 20, from Westoe, and Sean Green, 22, from Horsley Hill, both South Shields, arrived, they claimed they "missed most of the good stuff".

Mr Martin, a law student at Newcastle University, said: "I managed to get some new shirts and T-shirts from Next, but there was nothing I really wanted in any of the shops.

"I think we missed most of the good stuff. Next time we'll have to come out earlier." Mr Green, a delivery driver, decided to put the sales to good use and was thinking ahead.

He said: "It's a certain family member's birthday next week, so I've managed to get a few things from Boots. They had at least 50 per cent off, so I think I've done all right."

Research by web shopping comparison service Kelkoo predicted spending to be up by 1.5 per cent in this year's sales, where it also expects shoppers to spend £236 per head.

It's thought more shops than ever before opened on what's been dubbed as 'Super Saturday' in a bid to increase sales.

A combination of poor November sales figures and the 2.5 per cent increase in VAT, which comes into effect on New Year's Day, meant shops were desperate to do well in the sales.

However, Lidl, which has a store in Laygate, South Shields, is refusing to pass on the increase.

It said it will cut prices so customers will not be hit in the pocket when the levy returns to 17.5 per cent on January 1.

Chancellor Alistair Darling temporarily reduced rates to 15 per cent last December to help the ailing economy.

On Christmas Eve shoppers splashed out an estimated £1m a minute.

Major retailers reported brisk business both on high streets and online as people made a flurry of last-minute purchases.

However, many people stayed indoors and took advantage of the Internet sales, many of which started at the beginning of last week.

But there's no chance of pensioner Kate Ridley, 69, from Lawe Top, South Shields, going online.

She added: "That Internet isn't for me. I can't feel and look at things that way, can I? And goodness knows what I'll end up with."