ONE of the UK's big retailers has sparked the annual debate - is it too early for Christmas?

With festive stock appearing across Home Bargains stores across Wrexham and Flintshire, and more brands to no doubt follow, we asked readers for their opinions.

For some, the fact you can buy beach towels and parasols, Halloween costumes and decorations, and a nutcracker and giant candy cane all in in the same visit, is a bit much.

Add to that, it's still the school summer holiday!

But others say they the early arrival of all things Christmas gives them the chance to spread the cost.

And of course there are those who cannot get enough of the festive season and love it all year round.

So is it too soon to fill shops with Christmas? Are 'team too early' or 'team never too early'?

Here's what some of our readers had to say...

Those in favour included:

Katie Rippon: "I'm waiting for wrapping paper so I can start wrapping as soon as the cosy nights draw in. I love Christmas and bought a few things already. I like to be very organised as I work full time."

Beryl Jones: "Some of us have to start early when you have lots to get. Gifts and goodies."

Christine Jones: "Each to their own. I have to budget throughout the year, so the earlier the better."

Emma Bray: "Love this, makes me want to get my tree out."

Sarah Ryan:"Some of us like to be organised."

Of those not so keen were:

Nevmah Morris: "I was so annoyed when I saw this in Home Bargains in Gwersyllt on August 15.

"I told a cashier 'Christmas is months away! We shouldn't even have any of that out now. It's the middle of the summer, children haven't even gone back to school yet, I've come in to buy a bucket and spade ready for our beach day and we can't even buy the summer items we need, in summer'.

"I also said how it's not good for children's mental and emotional health. Let them enjoy summer, let them know times and seasons, it only brings about confusion that they should be experiencing summer and yet they're being presented with a winter season and an event they know is far off yet. Mixed messages."

Jacqui Martin: "Way too soon... rampant commercialisation. Supermarkets have us lurching from one holiday season to the next, ensuring parents are constantly faced with spending demands."

Lou Morgan: "It gets earlier every year! Can we not enjoy the summer first?"

JoAnne Beattie: "Way way to early! I remember Christmas decorations didn't come out in the shops until after Bonfire Night! It takes away the magic."

Howard Williams: "It's a third of a year until Christmas! Are the Easter eggs in too?"

But it was summed up perfectly by Natalie Ann Stevens, who said: "This is retail whether you like it or not."