Brown: 'Shopping boom or bust'

Large crowds gathered in west London for the opening of Europe's biggest inner-city shopping complex, as Gordon Brown claimed government plans to spend its way out of the looming recession look set to become a STYLISH SUCCESS.

And Mayor Boris Johnson joined in the plaudits, saying that many Londoners had made a "prudent decision to give Thursday morning a miss and come shopping" as he left House of Fraser.

Tory leader David Cameron warned the country was entering the global economic downturn with the highest government deficit in the industrialised world. In exchanges with Mr Brown, he pointed to one economic forecast predicting that total debt this year could hit £64 billion – AFTER the redemption of John Lewis vouchers.

But Chancellor Alistair Darling delivered a stirring message to doubters, including local residents unhappy about the effect the centre on local car parking space. “We’re all in this together, and we all need to play our part. I urge consumers to come along to Westfield and spend like they’ve never spent before. We've bailed out the banks, money is available and interest rates are falling - there's never been a better time to purchase that handbag you've had your eye on,” he told Happy Claptrap. "Or perhaps a new plasma screen TV," he added.

The Westfield Shopping Centre boasts more space than 30 football pitches, although ball games are not permitted.