IT barely seems possible that Westquay first opened their doors to the public 20 years ago today.

The £295million shopping centre was opened when then-city mayor Peter Wakeford cut the ceremonial ribbon on the morning of September 28, 2000.

The shops rolled open their shutters at 9.30am and by 11am 17,500 shoppers had passed through the doors with 1,500 cars parked-up.

The huge influx caused Westquay's car park machines to break down and refuse cash payments because they were filling up faster than they could be emptied.

A staggering 104,003 people visited the mall between 8am and 8pm.

Although the shopping centre's first 20 years have seemingly passed in the blink of an eye, it seems a long time ago since crowds were able to pack in together as they are in these pictures from the opening.