It's that time of the year again and retailers are getting ready for one of the biggest sales of the year - Black Friday.

For many shops across the county, the event does not last just one day, but often stretches across the weekend, and in some cases the whole week.

Despite the surge of online shopping, with a huge number of Black Friday deals available, it has not deterred shoppers from hitting the high street in a bid to get the biggest and best deals.

Where to grab the best deals in Kent

The McArthurGlen Ashford Designer Outlet are holding a Black Friday weekend event, with shops offering a range of discounts.

The shopping outlet will be opening up for extended hours - 8am until 9pm on Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26, and 10am - 6pm Sunday, November 27.

Retailer deals include:

• Gap - 50% off entire store (Thursday, November 24 - Monday, November 28)
• Superdry - 20% off entire store (Friday, November 25 only)
• Ted Baker - 30% off selected lines all weekend. The first 100 customers on Sunday, November 27 can grab a free tote bag.
• Marks and Spencer's - 20% off women's wear
• Calvin Klein - 20% off (Thursday, November 24 - Monday, November 28)

Peter Corr, centre manager said “Black Friday has undoubtedly grown significantly in popularity in recent years and we’re proud to be able to offer our customers even more incredible savings on already brilliant prices, with over 35 of our brands having confirmed this week’s offers and more still to come.

"Last year’s Black Friday weekend was our second biggest trading period of the year apart after Boxing Day and December 27 - we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone through the doors this weekend for some Christmas shopping.”

A range of Bluewater shops will be offering deals as well this Black Friday including:

• T. M. Lewin - 20% off everything until Monday, November 28
• Shoe Embassy - special offers across men's and women's collections. Selected sandals will be £30, selected shoes £45 and boots £50
• KIKO - Buy three products and get three free (Thursday, November 24 - Sunday, November 27)
• Dorothy Perkins - up to 50% off selected lines (until Monday, November 28)
• Radley - up to 50% off until Monday, November 28

Supermarket giants are also offering Black Friday deals.

Head to your nearest Tesco for their Black Friday event, which has already started online.

They're offering more than 200 deals across departments including gaming, household appliances and furniture.

However, it is not yet known what deals will be available on the day.

Meanwhile Sainsbury's are not giving in to the online rush, keeping their Black Friday deals in store only.

Although prices have not yet been revealed, included in the sale will be the Dyson V-6, Blaupunkt 40" HD Freeview TV, and the Nutri Ninja auto IQ BL480, plus many more.

Find your local store before the day to make sure you're there to pick up the best deals.

Last year, offered big reductions on a Celcus 32in LED TV with the price slashed from £180 to just £100.

Despite previously pioneering Black Friday in the UK, there's a question over whether Asda will join in following problems in previous years.

The retailer chose to opt out last year.

Morrisons has started online deals early, and on top of this are offering shoppers 10p off per litre of fuel when customers spend £50 or more in store.

But it's no secret that the big day offers as much chaos as it does deals.

Across the years, the county has seen a fair share of Black Friday bust-ups.

In one case at Tesco in Whitfield, three women and a women squabbled over a reduced television, which was caught on video by another shopper.

Meanwhile in Currys PC World in Aylesford,

police had to be called to reports a shopper using threatening language.

He was later removed and banned from the shop.

Clive Phillips, KCC trading standards operations manager, said “We advise consumers to really shop around and not be tempted by the first ‘bargain’ they come across.

“Adverts that seem too good to be true often are. Consumers should also make sure they are shopping through legitimate websites.

“We have advice and top tips to help people shop online safely.”

Big Black Friday facts:

• Last year in the UK alone, a record breaking £3.3 billion was spent over the Black Friday weekend. On Black Friday alone a third of that was spent, according to figures from Experian and IMRG.

• It is said the term Black Friday was coined in the 1960s by police in Philadelphia describing the traffic congestion.

• Following this, there were attepmts - which failed - to rename it Big Friday, to give it a more positive spin.

• Black Friday is the day after the US tradition Thanksgiving.

• It wasn't until 2010 that the gimmick crossed the Atlantic.