CHRISTMAS chaos is expected to hit York's shops today as customers snap up last-minute bargains.

Store bosses were expecting much hustle and bustle during the last weekend before Christmas - although they denied last-minute sales were a desperate reaction to a national trading crisis.

Offers throughout the city's stores include discounts of between 20 and 70 per cent, half price sales and buy-one-get-one-free promotions.

Tracy Carr, manager of the Body Shop in Coppergate, said: "I think people have held off this year. With the schools breaking up later I think people have got an extra week's shopping, so I'm expecting there to be a bit of a rush."

Clare Cooke, duty manager of Marks & Spencer in Pavement, said the weekend before Christmas, combined with the St Nicholas Fayre, were traditionally the biggest shopping events of the year.

She said: "So far basket sizes have been healthy and we're pleased with that. We have some great offers on food, like three bottles of bucks fizz for £6 to help people celebrate Christmas."

Susan Allick, duty manager of BhS in Coney Street, said favourite items this Christmas included mini hampers and children's pyjamas.

"This week's trade has been very good, which is usually an indication that Saturday is going to be busy.

"Hopefully it will be a fun day with lots of Christmas cheer."

Dixons spokeswoman Melissa Urry said she expected the York stores to have a very busy weekend.

She said: "We think this weekend is going to be one of the busiest, if not the busiest, of the year.

"We've got a lot of deals and discounts to give customers the best possible prices and the best technology."

James Knowles, acting manager of Virgin in Coney Street, said: "I think it's going to be a busy weekend. There's been a lot in the media about Christmas shopping being slow to take off this year, but it's really starting to pick up now.

"Our January sale will start on Christmas Eve."

Meanwhile, City of York Council highways chiefs have assured motorists that only essential roadworks would be carried out over the Christmas period.

A spokeswoman said: "We would advise people to travel in early, rather than all aiming to arrive during the middle of the morning. We would remind people that park-and-ride is the easiest way of reaching the city centre. We can increase the level of provision to meet demand."

:: Popular buys

MP3 players

Lord Of The Rings DVD box sets

Kylie Greatest Hits CDs

DAB digital radios

Food gifts, including mini-hampers and biscuits

Children's sleepwear

Ladies' knitwear

Gloves, hats and scarves.

:: Rob Dabrowski asked people on York's streets about their Christmas shopping experience.

Kevin Nichols, of Acomb, York, said: "It's really busy at the moment, especially with the night shopping, although I've not actually started my Christmas shopping yet."

Joanna Loveday, of Leeds, said: "I've still got a few presents left to get, although I've got nearly everything now.

"When the market was on though, I just gave up, it was so busy."

Suzanne Long, of Selby, said: "I've got just about all my presents and they're all wrapped up under the tree, although I've still got a few stocking-fillers to get."

Lora Wade, of Malton, said: "At the weekend it's really busy, but in the week it's not too bad.

"I've managed to get all my presents other than something to do with Barbie, which I'm finding hard to get."

Greg Reid, of Easingwold, said: "I've avoided the weekend, so it's not been too bad and on weekdays when I've been in, it hasn't been very busy.

"I've just about got all my presents now, but it's my fourth trip."

Updated: 10:09 Saturday, December 18, 2004