Watch 1,500 people queuing for Boxing Day sales at Next in the Bullring - Birmingham Live

Video shows giant queue for Next in the Bullring

Right-o, who's Next then?

That was the regular cry outside the Bullring store of the same name as more than 1,500 people queued up before dawn to have first bite at this year’s Boxing Day sales.

They were among a sea of bargain hunters who swamped city centre today in search of bargains.

Bullring general manager Michaela Moore said: “Boxing Day is always one of our busiest days of the year and we were delighted to welcome more than 210,000 shoppers hoping to bag a bargain on the official start of the post-Christmas sales.

“There were queues outside Selfridges, Zara, Zara Mens, Debenhams and River Island – and we counted more than 1,500 people in the queue for Next alone.”

The queue for Next began at 9.50pm on Christmas Day Sunday night, while the first people to arrive outside Selfridges pitched up at 4.25am.

But not everyone who was up early was there to shop.

Ateek Ebrahim from Perry Barr was looking after six-month-old daughter Aana in a pram so that wife Nazam could grab a bargain for a family wedding.

“We think this is probably the best time to get stuff,” said Ateek.

Also in the queue were Ali Razam and Ahmed Salama, both looking for menswear.

Close behind, friends Gill Tchonlafi and Michele Djateu were looking for “pants and bras.”

Despite Christmas Day having been one of the warmest on record, there was a chill breeze blowing down the path towards St Martin's in the Bullring.

But customers were at least dry - and most had good coats and hats on to keep out the cold.

Ishaq Mohammad, 12, kept warm with his hood up.

He was hoping that in return for supporting his family at Next, he might be able to buy a Playstation 4 from Computer Exchange or Argos later.”

The German Market was also open after Christmas for the first time.

Currently celebrating Birmingham's 50-year relationship with Frankfurt, it will be open until Thursday, December 29.

Selfridges' general manager Sam Watts said she had noticed how her customers had become “savvy shoppers”.

“It’s the best day of the year for our customers and staff,” said Sam, who had 800 people in across all of the sales floors and on security during the 8am-9pm opening hours.

“You see a lot familiar faces – they like to make it an annual even and it’s my own favourite day.

“The best items we have on sale today are the shoes and handbags which have 50 per cent off.

“For these customers, our sales are all about bagging an investment.

“Our first lady in knew exactly what she was coming in for beause they’ve done their research."