SHOPPERS keen to bag a bargain have hit the sales as shops across the UK opened their doors early for Black Friday, but things got off to a relatively slow start.

Retailers made cut-price deals available online from midnight and many shops changed their opening hours to offer customers more time to snap up discounted stock, ranging from televisions to toothbrushes.

But there were no signs of the huge crowds which gathered last year, or the scuffles which broke out as customers fought over big-ticket items.

Dennis Baldry, manager of Southend’s Victoria Shopping Centre, said: “It has gone well for us and we have not had any problems.

“There have been no repeats of the crushes and scrums we saw over the last couple of years.

“I got the impression from talking to people that retailers have made a concerted effort to spread it out over the whole week and take it back from the brink.

“People love a bargain, especially at this time of year, so the desire is still there, but it has been managed well.”

Mike Horton, marketing manager at the Eastgate Centre in Basildon, said: "Everything is going smoothly. We haven't seen any problems.

"We're expecting it to be busier later but we have everything under control. Our own security team is on hand to help shop security.

"We expect people to take advantage of all the great bargains."

It is expected that customers could spend their way to the UK's first £1 billion in online shopping day today.

Tesco, which opened many of its stores at 5am, had installed queuing systems and assured shoppers there would be enough security and stock following scuffles over limited numbers of items last year.

Last year, Black Friday overtook Cyber Monday for the first time as Amazon.co.uk's busiest day, when it sold more than 5.5 million items at a rate of 64 per second.

But things got off to a slow start on Oxford Street this morning, where midnight came and went without any hint of last year's consumer chaos.

The Boots flagship store on Sedley Place was one of a handful of shops which opened extra early, advertising deals on huge posters by the shop entrance.

But the doors flung open to two waiting journalists and no customers.

Elsewhere Norfolk Police were on site at Blue Boar Tesco in Norwich in case of trouble, but the queue of around 18 people moved slowly and politely through the doors as they opened up.

The scene at Surrey Quays Tesco was more calm than last year, when police were called to reports of arguments breaking out.

Around 30 people waited in the queue before making their way into the store as security guards looked on.

Entrance to Tesco's Western Avenue store in Cardiff was limited to 10 people at a time, as people waited in the rain.

The 100-strong queue at Tesco Extra in Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne were assured the store had plenty of stock, as the shutters were raised at 5am.

In the run-up to this year's event police warned shops to ensure they have carefully thought-out security plans in place for the sales following chaos at a number of stores across the UK last year when huge crowds grappled for cut-price televisions and other big-ticket items.

Experian-IMRG believes internet spending today will hit £1.07 billion, a 32% increase on last year's £810 million - the first time that online retail sales in the UK will surpass £1 billion in one day.

The Centre for Retail Research expects a slightly more modest £966 million online but predicts total Black Friday sales including at bricks and mortar stores will reach £1.39 billion, with shopping over the entire weekend - culminating in Cyber Monday - to hit £3.49 billion.

Visa Europe predicts that shoppers will spend £721 million online on its cards today, up from £616 million last year.

However, consumer advocates warned that shoppers should exercise caution amid the rush for bargains.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, has warned that the majority of Black Friday deals "aren't special" and advised shoppers to cross-check deals with items they actually need.

He said: "Above all, remember: if you don't want something, don't need it or can't afford it, then don't buy it."