Post-Christmas sales are underway across the country.

Thousands of shoppers are expected to try to grab a bargain.

Many shops began offering discounts online at midnight and hundreds of retail staff have been preparing for the sales from early this morning.

These people in Dublin were up early this morning to head to the sales:

The Consumers' Association of Ireland is encouraging people to use Christmas gift vouchers as soon as possible.

The advice is to check the voucher's expiry date and terms and conditions.

Some vouchers have maintenance fees attached, which can deduct up to €3 from the voucher's balance each month.

Meanwhile, Dermot Jewell from the Consumers' Association of Ireland says anybody looking to exchange or return a product should do so as soon as possible: