Amid a sea of sales signs trying to tempt potential customers to part with their money, bargains are clearly to be had for those who have not yet been credit crunched.

But there's even greater value for money to be found for visitors from other countries who have watched the pound fall against their own currency.

With the broad range of sales offering savings on clothing, perfumes and sportswear, and larger stores such as BHS offering 20% off just about everything, there's extra value for those whose euro would not have bought nearly as much this time last year.

It was hoped the availability of tourists' "extra spend" euro would ultimately lead to more being handed over at the tills in Scotland, following reports that the pound was sinking below the euro at some exchanges.

It is suggested that some holidaymakers are receiving less than a euro for each pound they change because of charges at bureaux de change in high streets and airports, which are offering rates as low as 1.05 euros to the pound.

The plunge in the base interest rate to just 2% in recent months was one factor said to have prompted a collapse in the value of sterling, sitting at just 1.12 euros or 1.49 US dollars.

As recently as last December, £1 would buy 1.40 euros or 2.06 dollars.

But customers at some airports swapped £200 for less than 200 euros on Saturday after commission and handling fees were charged, according to reports.

Last week sterling fell close to 1.11 euros, but the commercial rate obtained by tourists is usually lower.

Customers at Travelex counters at Liverpool and Birmingham airports were getting as little as 197.13 euros for £200, while it was claimed those at the ICE Bureau at Luton airport received 199.63 euros for their £200 at the final calculation.

For just over £200 at Travelex at Glasgow Airport yesterday, travellers got 220 euros.

Yesterday Edinburgh's Christmas markets were a focus for both Scots and international visitors, with tourists from Portugal, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Italy and France browsing for bargains and enjoying the atmosphere.

Henry and Elizabet Marnou from Lyon said they had found prices largely matched those in the French city. They also saved euros on cheap flights that they booked early.

Mr Marnou said they are staying in the city for six days, adding: "We imagined it would be more expensive because it is a popular place at Christmas. We've bought presents for ourselves, but we did find some restaurants very expensive."

German friends Julia Soergel, Laura Pfeifer and Robert Cazasiuc were making the most of the entertainment options at Princes Street Gardens, where there are rides, open-air ice skating and stalls. Other visitors said they were also picking up bargains. Bora and Ceren Karip from Turkey were among those who took advantage of savings in city centre shops.

Meanwhile, the government yesterday pointed out that the low sterling was good for UK exporters whose goods become cheaper for customers in the eurozone.

As the pound has moved close to parity with the euro, some analysts have even raised the possibility of the UK adopting the single European currency.

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