SHOPPERS in Bournemouth expressed concern about card fraud after a major fashion retailer announced millions of customers' details had been stolen.

Cut-price designer clothes retailer TK Maxx, which has stores in Castlepoint, Bournemouth town centre and the Ringwood Road retail park in Poole, has admitted the credit and debit card details of millions of customers were stolen.

Computer hackers broke into the shop's systems and pulled off the world's biggest theft of card details.

In total 45 million shoppers who paid by credit or debit card in TK Maxx shops, and other stores in the TJX group, between January 2003 and June 2004 were exposed to fraud.

The company has identified two computer files that were removed from its British headquarters in Watford but does not know whose details have been taken.

Customer service advisor Tracey Stratford, 42, from Poole was shopping in TK Maxx yesterday.

She said: "I do have concern about using my cards.

"It is always at the back of your mind because people can tap into things now."

She added that she was more concerned about fraud in internet transactions.

Student Sean Hemmings, 33, also bought things in TK Maxx.

He said: "I mostly pay with cash because you never know."

Chief executive of TJX, which owns TK Maxx, Carol Meyrowitz said the company is investigating the problem and has strengthened the security of its computer systems.

She added: "Based on everything we have done, I believe that customers should feel safe shopping in our stores."

Worried people can contact the store's helpline on 0800 779015.