'I lost my job, I'm spending more'

London's shoppers appeared determined not to let the war on terrorism or the fear of attacks affect their Christmas spending.

Duncan Lea, 30, who recently lost his job at a telecommunications company, reacted by going on a spending spree. "I'm shopping as normal really, if not more than usual," he said. "The economy has affected me because I lost my job - 11 September did not help my industry, that's for sure."

Stockbroker Charlie Parnell, 24, said: "I'm not going to spend any less, I might even try to spend more. As for the war, I think the best way to support it is to go about life as normal."

Ellie Mantis, 26, from Athens, said: "I have some shops in Athens and they are not doing as well as before. Personally I am shopping as usual. I'm lucky and I'm going to make the most of that."

Sam Doughty, 25, a music publisher, said: "Spending less for Christmas didn't occur to me. People are quite selfish really, we want to have a good time no matter what."

Lucy Musgrave, 24, works for a venture capital company. She said: "I am worried about bombs, but that's not a good reason to change your life. That would be letting the terrorists win." PA Isabelle German, 25, said: "I have worked on Oxford Street for three years and it seems as busy as ever. I'm going to spoil everybody. Nothing's changed, except that I don't want to fly."

However Katie Parker, 25, an events manager, said: "I'm not going to be spending as much as usual. People are not spending as much on parties, especially after the World Trade Center attacks."