The tills were ringing as supermarkets across north Essex opened their doors to their busiest days of the year.

Trolley dash - seasonal shoppers take to the shopping aisles to stock up on Christmas goodies. Picture: NICK OBANK (39920-3)

Thousands of Christmas shoppers visited the superstores to stock up on food and Christmas goodies.

And the seasonal shoppers are leaving stores struggling against a sell-out in the build up to the big day.

The main supermarkets were besieged with people from the moment they opened their doors yesterday.

At Sainsbury's in Tollgate, Colchester, manager John Priest said: "We've been very busy from first thing. The customers are buying all things Christmas related. All the tills are open."

Every single till was also open at Asda in Turner Rise, Colchester, where staff had been flat out since the store opened at 6am.

At Safeways in Old Road, Clacton, express tills were abandoned yesterday after shoppers queued with trolley-loads of groceries. Every checkout was open.

In the Harwich area, shops had a similar boom before Christmas but kept shelves stacked by busy staff.

Brett Robson, manager at Morrisons at Parkeston, said: "They seem to be doubling up on everything it's absolutely heaving. It's very encouraging to see and great for us."

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Published Friday, December 24, 2004

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