BLACK Friday weekend saw a wave of bargains online and in shops attract scores of shoppers, with the Great Western Designer Outlet seeing its biggest trading day in the centre’s history.

The American born sales initiative saw shops slash their prices resulting in a sales free for all and up to £5bn being made across the UK.

In the town stores such as Debenhams, Ann Summers, Carphone Warehouse and Miss Selfridge offered extra discounts in a bid to entice bargain hunters.

The Great Western Designer Outlet got into the cut-price spirit with 30 per cent off leading brands and opening hours. This resulted in Saturday becoming the biggest day of sales in the outlet’s history.

Tina Cumpstey, centre manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon said: “Our extended opening hours and promotions from leading brands across the centre saw our customers take full advantage of Black Friday Weekend resulting in Saturday being the biggest trading day in the centre’s history.”

Di Powell, InSwindon BID manager said the deals had gone down a storm in the town centre, particularly Debenhams where prices were cut by up to 50 per cent with 10 per cent off all beauty and fragrance items.

“The town centre was as busy as ever with many of our retailers embracing Black Friday fever with lots of fantastic deals and offers in the town centre.

“We will be finding out the results of sales from our retailers later this week. It has been busier than it has been normally.”

Many shoppers opted to avoid the chaos on the high street and shop online from the comfort of their own homes.

Online purchases climbed by 6.7 per cent compared to last year’s figures of 31 per cent.

Footfall-those visiting shops- was up by two per cent despite a predicted decline of five per cent.

Black Friday has also seen the rise of 'Cyber Monday' with shoppers predicted to splash out £1.1bn online yesterday.