CHRISTMAS Eve - either a relaxing day at home counting down the hours to the big day, or a frenzied rush around your local shops gathering those final few presents and treats.

I am the latter.

I went into Salisbury city centre on my lunch break today to complete my Christmas check list and, unsurprisingly, it was pretty busy.

Not the usual chaos you expect the day before Christmas, but busy none the less.

Perhaps the latest Omicron variant has trapped some of the usual last minute shoppers at home.

Either way, there was enough buzz in the city to feel like Christmas Eve, just without the queues.

The shopping scene seemed pretty normal in the usual hotspots – the Old George Mall, the Maltings, the Market Place – like a classic busy Saturday.

But inside shops you could sense the festive adrenaline, with customers frantically searching for that final perfume or jumper or book, ready to complete a Christmas stocking.

Boots, Waterstones, New Look – the high street shops were jam packed with mask-wearing customers.

It was the same in the smaller independent businesses too, which was great to see.

Despite the rush for presents and goodies, and the sporadic downpours, there was an excited and lively atmosphere across the city centre.

With the recent calls for the public to support the hospitality sector, it was lovely to walk past so many cafes and restaurants filled with happy shoppers, either celebrating the end of their present hunting feat, their final day of work or enjoying a well-deserved break.

And a huge shoutout to the retailers and store staff who of course don’t want to be working, let’s face it, but have been serving testing customers like me with patience and joy.