A BOLTON based online marketing specialist is shrugging off the credit crunch, as more people turn to the internet to search for a bargain.

Maxafi forecasts turnover of more than £500,000 in next three months, generating over £20m of online sales for clients - an increase of over 150 per cent on the same period last year.

It owns and operates a series of price comparison, user review and discount web sites.

They generate revenue only if consumers follow links from the sites to retailer's own sites.

Managing director Lee Bailey said: "The online high street is the place where most people now start their Christmas shopping.

"At Maxafi we understand what consumers want and where they can get the best bargains, so our sites provide an ideal channel for retailers and consumers to get together.

"Despite the credit crunch, Maxafi has gone from strength to strength, and with this year's Christmas online sales in the UK are expected to be up by 50 per cent compared with last year, we are looking forward to a busy and prosperous festive season."

Maxafi provides promotion for thousands of online traders.