Department store Selfridges became the first retailer to open its Christmas department this year yesterday, with 142 shopping days left until the big day.

Despite the heatwave that much of the UK is experiencing, Selfridges launched the North Pole-themed space on the fourth floor of its Oxford Street flagship.

More than 700 sq ft of space has been decked with more than 100,000 festive decorations and is expected at this stage to appeal mainly to tourists.

Customers can choose from more than 300 different crackers and almost 450 Christmas tree styles at Selfridges.

Selfridges expects to sell 46,500 decorations and wreaths and 29,000 cards this Christmas.

Selfridges christmas, home and decorations buyer Geraldine James said:”Despite the summer weather, we’re in full festive mode here at Selfridges. We’ve been working on this year’s Christmas Shop since Christmas last year. We have so many customers visiting from all over the world and eager to snap up festive souvenirs on their summer holidays, which they can’t buy at home. So, we have to make sure we’re ready to showcase Christmas decorations they will truly treasure.”