Torrential rain failed to put off Christmas shoppers in Shropshire as traders reported business was booming – with hopes for more of the same today.

Nearly 70,000 shoppers packed out the mall at Telford Shopping Centre on Thursday, but bosses were predicting yesterday would easily top that as traders reported it was their busiest day of the year so far.

Centre manager Chris Jones said they had also seen more than 150,000 shoppers through the doors from Monday to Wednesday this week.

He said: “The feedback from retailers suggests Friday was the busiest day of the year so far, but expectations are today will be comparable.”

Mike Dadge, general manager at Morrisons in Market Drayton, said it had been a record-breaking week for the store, with 12,000 mince pies and 800 wheels of cheese flying off the shelves.

Meanwhile, traffic ground to a halt during times in Oswestry town centre yesterday due to the sheer volume of vehicles trying to get in and out of the town.

Amanda Reeve, manager of Boots, said: “We are all geared up for another busy day today.”

The rain failed to put people off collecting their Christmas turkeys as queues built up outside GN Badley & Sons in Trench, Telford. Owner Simon Badley said: “This year has been one of our busiest since we established here in Telford back in 1976.”

Bridgnorth was bustling as shoppers braved the rain yesterday to pick up bargains. Paul Beaman, who works at Beaman’s Butchers in High Street, said they had also been very busy.

Ann Greenall, manager at Sainsbury’s in Whitburn Street, said: “We are expecting a good strong start to Christmas Eve.”

And there was a queue of people waiting outside A Ryan & Son Butchers in High Street, Much Wenlock, when it opened its doors at 6am yesterday.

Jenny Phillips, who works at the butchers, said: “We have had a good Christmas. We have been happy and busy all day.”

By Wayne Beese