MANCHESTER bargain-hunters are defying the credit crunch by packing into the Trafford Centre.

Car parks were nearly completely filled on Saturday as more than 134,000 shoppers escaped the rain to visit the indoor mall.

Trafford Centre bosses say the five busiest Saturdays of the year have all been in the last two months - despite the economic gloom and it being the height of the holiday season.

And the figures - set against the backdrop of the credit crunch and increased fuel and shopping prices - represent a sharp rise from footfall levels recorded this time last year.

Many of the centre's 235 stores have also reported that the high visitor numbers are being converted into sales, a spokesman said.

He added: "We are setting records and we are definitely breaking year-on-year footfall figures."

It is believed that the poor weather and the success of circus show Afrika! Afrika! contributed to Saturday's huge visitor numbers.

The preliminary figures show July 19 was the busiest Saturday of 2008, with the centre attracting in excess of 140,000 visitors. It is followed by July 5, July 12 and June 21 - where around 134,000 people visited.

A spokesman for the Trafford Centre said the figures represented a marked increase from footfall recorded this time last year.

Exceedingly busy

He said: "It was an exceedingly busy Saturday - the fifth busiest of the year to date. Even though we had so many visitors, it was spread over a 12-hour day. The malls were never crowded and there was plenty of room.

"We are definitely breaking year-on-year records for footfall. The sales are also very good and retailers are very happy. The footfall is being converted into sales, although we are still calculating exact numbers.

"It is turning into a very successful summer for us, even within the backdrop of the credit crunch. People come to the Trafford Centre for a variety of reasons - a blend of entertainment, shopping and leisure. It is considered a day out."