Now I understand why there was gridlock on the road into town this morning.

It was absolutely chocka with the market researchers, Big Issue salesmen, charity collectors, Santas-with-buckets who went on to pester the already-hassled shoppers in the city centre.

Not content with interrupting the flow of traffic on the roads, they have also to interrupt the flow of shoppers in the  pedestrianised town centre.

I think I have now discharged my Christmas shopping duties.