SHOPPERS are flocking to boom town Bolton in their millions, making it one of the North-west's most popular destinations.

Figures reveal that all previous records have been broken -- and an estimated further one million people are expected to visit the town's shopping centre over the festive season.

Crompton Place shopping centre has seen the largest increase, with the number of shoppers up a staggering 18 per cent this year. More than 300,000 people visited the centre last month alone boosting this year's total to 12 million.

The Market Place has also reported a big increase in the number of shoppers with more than eight million visitors.

And, overall, retailers are confident that the festive season will reap a bumper cash bonanza. Bolton has benefited strongly from major events such as the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup attracted many thousands of people into the town to watch the tournament on TV screens in pubs and clubs.

The number of shoppers in the town centre has increased over the last two weeks with people embarking on a Christmas shopping frenzy.

Steve Priddis, centre manager of Crompton Place, said: "There appears to be a lot more cash around this year and Bolton is in an ideal position to benefit from that.

"We have good car parking and a great range of chain stores and independent shops. There's a real feel good factor around." The town centre success story comes at the end of a year which has seen a flood of investment in the form of new shops including TK Maxx. Cafe Bar 2-10 and Dali Bar on Bradshawgate have given a boost to the town's night economy.

And traditional winners such as Bolton's outdoor market continue to pull in shoppers from across the region.

Andrew Stringer, technical services manager at the Market Place, said: "There's a great deal of character in Bolton."

Success has come despite the highly successful Trafford Centre being just 20 minutes drive away. The Lowry's Designer Outlet with its new Nike designer store and neighbouring towns such as booming Bury, Wigan, Blackburn and Oldham also providing stiff competition.

But Andrew Dickson, who runs St Andrew's Travel in Bolton, said: "I wouldn't dream of going to the Trafford Centre over Christmas because the traffic is a nightmare.

"Bolton has shops like Whitakers and Debenhams as well as more traditional stores and independents. The problem with parking appears to be fading and the town is moving ahead."

Bolton Town Centre Company, responsible for selling the town to shoppers and traders, said events such as the ice rink was helping to encourage people to flock to the town.

Cathy Savage, Bolton Town Centre manager, said: "It's been a fantastic year and hopefully the success will continue over Christmas and into the New Year."