TRADING Standards officers have been inundated with complaints about a new Bolton store which advertises brand-name electrical goods at cut prices.

Bargain Centre in Oxford Street has attracted queues of shoppers to its daily sales advertising sought-after items such as PlayStation 2s, Nintendo Gameboys and Sony Camcorders for about £50 each.

But some customers have gone away less than happy.

Bargain hunter Lisa Urmston thought she had bought an incredibly cheap PlayStation, a Nokia mobile phone or even a DVD player when she handed over £60.

Earlier, she had watched as around 10 shoppers bought sealed boxes containing sought-after items such as a PlayStation, a video camera and a DVD player for just 1p.

She was convinced that she, too, was in for a treat when she handed over £60 and was asked to choose from three sealed boxes -- but all she got was a cheap watch.

Now Miss Urmston, aged 20, has warned other shoppers not to make the same mistake.

She was one of the customers who have complained to the town's trading standards department about Bargain Centre.

Miss Urmston, of Bromley Cross Road, Bromley Cross, said it was never specifically promised that the item she was buying was of the same quality as those previously sold for one pence, but she claims that it was strongly implied.

"I thought I was getting a bargain, but obviously I wasn't -- and I was not alone," she said.

"There were a lot of disappointed people outside who were unhappy about what they had been given."

Experts in consumer affairs say shoppers' confidence can be built up by 1p sales.

Issuing a warning to Bolton bargain hunters, Darrell Wilson, principal trading standards officer, said: "These companies don't usually stick around for long. They don't get repeat custom or recommendations by word of mouth."

No one at the Bargain Centre would comment when asked to respond to the complaints made by shoppers.

Mr Wilson said he could not comment on the individual store. But he said: "Our message to people is if something looks too good to be true, it usually is."

Trading standards officers say some one-day sales are genuine, but have issued the following general guidelines for shoppers who choose to attend:

Never bid for items you cannot see and never risk bidding for a lot based on what has been previously sold.

If the price seems to good to be true, consider whether the item will be of the quality you want.

If bidding is to take place, ask if you can examine the goods first.

Open the box immediately you receive it so you can complain if you do not get what you thought you were bidding for.

Trading standards officials say that if the goods are faulty, it may be difficult to obtain a refund.

Anyone requiring further advice should ring Bolton trading standards department on 01204 336586.