Quirky World...Retailers have snowballs at the ready as Christmas comes a little early

EARLY CHRISTMAS

Clintons is just one high-street name which has decided to get the countdown to the festive period under way, even as the country is still basking in a heatwave.

While the UK’s recent battering by the remnants of Hurricane Bertha may have brought an unwelcome reminder of autumnal chills, shoppers could still be forgiven for thinking Christmas has come a little early.