REDDITCH'S Kingfisher Centre had a "phenomenal Christmas trading period", according to its director.

Ian McLelland said Redditch shoppers were out in force during the week before Christmas and footfall at the centre was up by 14.7 per cent on the same period last year.

"Our stores have reported excellent trading, with some of them on the top 10 best performing stores in the country and others reporting best sales increases on year within their company."

And residents still found the energy to shop for bargains in the January sales with footfall at the centre outstripping the national trend by 6.3 per cent.

"We have consistently performed well during 2005 and we hope our good fortune will continue through 2006," he added.