The budget clothes retailer is causing a stir across the country, as people flock to stores to snap up fashionable threads at competitive prices.

But Peterborough people are having to travel out of the city to find Primark, as the nearest branches are at Leicester, Bedford, Stevenage or Luton.

Eagerness to get a branch in Peterborough is so high that more than 1,000 people have joined a campaign on social networking website Facebook.

However, even though it seems that store bosses are considering a Primark here, it may not be a reality for at least two more years.

Mooted sites include the Bretton Centre; East Station Road – where B&Q used to be; or even the city centre's Queensgate.

Nicknamed "Primani", the Facebook group is filled with requests from clothes lovers who are fed up with travelling to visit their favourite store.

Clare Phillips, who is from Peterborough, said: "Bring it to Peterborough, bargain city.

"I work near one in London, and I am in there most days.

"I don't think it matters where it goes in Peterborough, as people will travel to it."

Last September, Primark's newest, and largest, store opened in Liverpool, with 85,000sq ft of sales floors, over five levels.

And just months before, police officers were called to control crowds at the opening of Primark in London's Oxford Street, when hundreds of people smashed down a door, after tiring of waiting to get in.

Jemma King added: "I love Primark.

"I went to the one at Meadowhall (in Sheffield). It's brilliant, as my partner and I bought some clothes for our son and they are ever such good quality.

"I do wish they would bring a Primark to Peterborough."

The company's success is based on sourcing supply cheaply, making clothes with simple designs and fabrics, only making them in the most popular sizes and buying stock in huge bulks and varieties.

Most importantly, Primark do not advertise their products.

A spokesman for the store confirmed Peterborough was a city it was considering for submitting a bid to build a store, but no time estimation had yet been put on it.

The Primark for Peterborough group is available to join on Facebook: search for 'Bring PRIMARK 2 PETERBOROUGH' - www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20266427976. You can join the ET's facebook profile 'Peterborough ET' - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=698524188.