Shoppers will be able to dodge the queues at Bluewater this Christmas after the shopping centre launched an online portal giving access to its products.

Mums and dads will be able to select more than a million items stocked in mall from the comfort of their own sofa.

The “retail portal” will allow shoppers to research particular products and categories like childrenswear of beauty.

They will also be able to seek similar alternatives to items they want, which can be bought for delivery or collection at Bluewater.

The portal will also alert them to special offers being held by stores and direct people to brand websites.

So far about 120 of Bluewater's 330 stores are involved, although its total stores also includes coffee shops and restaurants which are not included within the shopping portal.

Its three anchor tenants – Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and House of Fraser – have signed up.

The innovation, launched by the centre’s co-owner Landsec, aims to help customers “interact with destinations when not physically there”.

Ailish Christian-West, head of shopping centres at Landsec, said: “Our priority is providing guests with a unique experience, one that complements their needs and aspirations.

“Whilst nothing quite beats the physical experience of visiting one of our retail and leisure destinations, the new shopping portal reflects how people are increasingly living their lives.

“Our guests can now move seamlessly between the physical and virtual worlds to make purchases and enjoy experiences.”

Shoppers can access the portal at www.bluewater.co.uk/shopping