Hamley Christmas !

HAMLEYS bosses have pulled the plug on an online promotion after thousands of bargain-hunters crashed its website.

Shoppers used codes leaked on the net to get discounts of up to 60 per cent.

At the height of the frenzy the website was trying to process 1,000 purchases a minute.

But yesterday the toy store said it would not honour the "fraudulent orders".

The bargain bonanza began when Hamleys issued "e-vouchers" intended for staff and their families only - but they ended up being posted on a money saving website.

The codes slashed the cost of a Robosapien Media from £299.99 to £179.99. Other toys also had massive savings and free delivery.

One delighted parent wrote: "Got two £19.99 remote control cars for £23.99 and free delivery. Bargain." Another said: "I've just got my son's birthday and Christmas presents for the next century!"

But the store said it would honour only single transactions. Boss Nick Mather said: "Multiple use of codes contravenes the offer. As a gesture of goodwill, customers can reorder with a 25 per cent discount code."

Earlier this month promotional codes for Threshers and Sainsbury's were also leaked onto the web, giving 60 per cent off booze just in time for Christmas.