Marks & Spencer will open its doors at 6am on Thursday December 27 for the launch of its Sale, and the promotion will begin online at 12.01am on Christmas Day.

The retailer will discount clothing by as much as 70 per cent and other ranges will be marked down by up to 50 per cent. The price of selected wines will also be cut by 25 per cent.

M&S retail director Guy Farrant said: “The new early opening time responds to incredible customer demand in previous years, when queues have formed in the early hours of the morning.”

Altogether, 142 M&S stores will open at 6am, including high-profile locations such as Marble Arch, Bluewater and Braehead.