Trouble in the North as 2,000 queue for bargain clothes
An early morning beat-the-clock promotion at a fashion store opening in the North had to be marshalled by police after scuffles broke out among over-eager shoppers.
Around 2,000 people descended on designer outlet centre Junction One near Antrim town after midnight in the hope of grabbing a bargain from the new Clockwork Orange shop.
But within an hour and a half police were called to restore order.
It is understood large numbers of the bargain hunters had been drinking before they arrived at the outlet.
Worried staff at the fashion store called in police amid fears they would not be able to control the thousands of shoppers.
Police said tempers were frayed and minor rows and scuffles broke out among the crowds after groups of people tried to queue jump.
Police were alerted at around 1.30am and the shop opened several hours later at 5.00am after calm was restored.
One man was arrested for disorderly behaviour, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.
Police said they detained the man following a public order incident.
Fashion store Clockwork Orange was offering bargain hunters a beat the clock special promotion where the cost of an item is based on the time of purchase.
