A department store is closing for a major restock tomorrow, after a flying start to its £6m sale.

Aldiss, which has branches in Norwich and Fakenham, has marked down thousands of items by up to 70pc.

It needs to sell off stock to clear its warehouse, before contractors move in to carry out a major refit.

There were long queues outside both stores as the sale got under way last week.

Managing director Paul Clifford said there had been 'an incredible response' from shoppers.

'It's been absolutely amazing, we're really delighted with it,' he said. 'The customers are coming out in their droves and the nice thing is everyone wins in it.

'We cut the prices, they get some incredible bargains and we get to be where we want to be.'

While some stores re-stock in the evening Aldiss's warehouse, on Fakenham's Norwich Road, is surrounded by houses.

'Our ideal would be if we could work it 24-seven but we choose not to do that because we don't want lorries trundling in and out, around a residential street at 11pm,' said Mr Clifford.

'It's our choice not to do it – it wouldn't be very neighbourly.'

Aldiss will re-open at 9am on Thursday. Mr Clifford said that around 40pc of stock was sold in the first few days of the sale.

Aldiss needs to refurbish its warehouse to help it meet the growing demand from online shoppers.

Space is at a premium because of the store's policy of buying stock in bulk direct from suppliers.