Hundreds of bargain hunters have queued outside a Watford store this morning for a half-price sale - at a pound shop.

A long line snaked along the street outside Poundworld in High Street from 8am this morning.

One shopper Christine Barrett queued for 20 minutes to get into the store. She said: “I heard about the sale from my daughter.

“It’s very exciting. I will probably pick up some little bits for Christmas.

“The funny thing is I would probably pay £1 for all the stuff, but now it is half price I feel like a winner.”

The sale started yesterday and customers have been clearing the shelves of must-have goodies including floral steering wheel covers, jumbo garden thermometers, and VHS videos.

Large signs saying "HALF PRICE SALE" have been plastered over the shop's front window.

One shopper, who asked not to be named because they were meant to be at work, had to abandon her items because of the long queues.

She said: “I queued up for 20 minutes. When I actually got in I picked up four items in about ten minutes but then ended up in a massive queue.

“People in front had hundreds of items, and with only four tills I had to leave the store.”

The store has hired added security to ensure the safety of shoppers. Afide Bouarfa, who normally works at Oceana, said he was letting 10 customers in at a time.

He said: “The last two days have been mad. I have seen so many people come through and then come back later in the day.

“So far there have been no incidents.”

Comedian Marc Hogan wrote on Twitter: "Is this a damning indictment of our times or do Brits just love a bargain?"

A spokesman for the company said: "Shoppers are so enthusiastic about our stores and the amazing value that we offer so it comes as no surprise to see the popularity of this sale.

"We very rarely have a sale of this kind as the stock we sell is already so cheap - it's no wonder that Watford shoppers have made the most of it."

The Poundworld branch is set to shut down later this month after its lease ran out, and company bosses are currently looking for new premises in the town.

There are still two other pound stores in Watford, with a branch of Poundland and 99p Stores just a minute's walk away.

Poundworld will be open until the stock is cleared.