[Ammi]

Walmart shoppers were given an early Christmas present when Beyonce paid a visit and bought them $37,500 (£23,000) in gift cards.

The Single Ladies singer, 32, bought a doll for her toddler Blu Ivy at the store in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, on Friday night, as well as a copy of her self-titled new album.

She wished everyone in the store a Happy Christmas and then gave away 750 $50 (£30) gift cards, before leaving for her concert in Boston

The surprise album has earned her a place in history as she becomes the first female to reach number one on the Billboard charts with her first five studio albums

It features 14 new songs and 17 music videos, and marks her return to the music business after giving birth to her daughter in 2012

Two singles, XO and Drunk in Love featuring her husband Jay-Z, were also released last week