SWINDON stores have reported brisk trading in the run up to Christmas, in contrast to a national downturn in high street sales last month.

The Office for National Statistics has recorded a sharp drop in business at clothing and depart-ment stores across the country.

But the chairman of the Swin-don Retailers' forum and Deben-hams store manager George Copplestone insists business is booming in the town.

He said: "At this month's forum meeting, which was attended by representatives from many retailers in the town, it was reported that business across the board was going well.

"Although they reported a drop in sales on the weekend following the September 11 terrorist attacks, sales have been good since then.

"It appears that we are bucking the national trend which is very good news for Swindon.

"The traders have said that the weekends in particular have been very busy."

He suggested that the reason for the boom could be that many people might be spending their Christmas at home.

"If that's the case then they will be spending in their local shops rather than taking their trade elsewhere and we're pleased about that," he said.

The manager for the Swindon branch of House of Fraser, Mandy Ryan, agreed: "As far as sales go, our branch is up three per cent on this time last year.

"Our store does not differ greatly from other House of Fraser stores across the country but we are all seeing an increase on sales of branded products."

Liz Sherman, sales manager for the High Street branch of Marks and Spencer said customers were reacting well to their festive sales push.

"I can report that things are going very very well, we are really pleased. Sales are up on last year and we have not been affected by the opening of our branch in the Outlet Village.

"It is an exciting time at the store and there are plans for a reorganisation of the store in Jan-uary which will include things like a coffee shop."

And at the Swindon branch of BHS the picture appears to be the same.

Assistant store manager Jason Hyde said: "We have got no problem with sales, we are also up on last year's figures.

"Although it is always difficult to say why, I have a feeling that weather has had a lot to do with it."

He added that people were more likely to venture out on the high street rather than retreat to all-weather shopping centres when the weather is good.

This is in contrast to the view of many clothing retailers who claim the milder weather means that people have delayed buying coats and jumpers for the winter.

The statistics office says shops selling food or household goods fared best in October, with food stores enjoying their highest growth since May.

But sales of textiles, clothing and footwear fell 1.5 per cent.

Total turnover in the sector in the three months to September fell 5.7 per cent below the previous three-month period, with orders on hand down 5.5 per cent.

Hi-tech electrical and optical equipment manufacturers were hardest hit.