The new watchdog for the retail industry received over 300 complaints over its first weekend, mainly about delivery and returns throughout the Christmas period.

On its first day alone, January 2nd, the Retail Ombudsman (TRO) received 107 complaints. It anticipates handling 100,000 cases this year.

The watchdog was set up in order to deal with the estimated 2 million unresolved disputes that occur between retailers and customers annually.

Chief ombudsman is Dean Dunham said: “In this day and age, with shopping online as well as the high street, there are millions of complaints. A large proportion get resolved, but a large proportion don’t. Those people are frustrated and they don’t know where to turn and can’t afford a lawyer. Now they can turn to the ombudsman.”