Tisn't the season: Selfridges' Christmas launch fails to raise any ho-ho-ho

London enjoyed some long overdue summer sun yesterday, with temperatures a "balmy" 22 degrees, says The Sun.

But there was a late-December vibe on Oxford Street when Selfridges became the "first in the world" to launch its Christmas department - a full 147 shopping days before the big day.

So, were customers caught up in the festive spirit? Not quite.

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The Sun quotes shoppers branding the move "ridiculous" and "delusional".

In some cases - such as former Leeds United director and now Penzance councillor David Haigh - there was simply shock. Others took to Twitter to express anger at the move.

Selfridges' customer service team tried to (politely) head off criticism by saying the department is especially aimed at tourists. The full festive range isn't available yet and only a selection of "London-inspired Christmas decorations and stocking fillers" can be found.

For some people, though, there can never be enough Christmas - including, it seems, Oxford University academic Ben Goldacre, the man behind the popular Bad Science.

Selfridges festive food products go on sale on Friday, says the Daily Telegraph, while the full Christmas offering of 130,000 product lines is available from 4 September.