Shoppers are set to go into overdrive today... as gamers queue for the must-have PlayStation 4 console and bargain hunters seek huge discounts.

Bluewater was expecting the numbers visiting the Greenhithe shopping complex to leap from the normal 90,000 visitors to around 150,000 today - a staggering two-thirds more than an average Friday.

That is due to a combination of factors, including the new PlayStation console going on sale for the first time, the fact most people have got their December pay cheque and huge discounts expected in many stores.

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Already by late yesterday afternoon more than a dozen gaming fans had started queuing for the console, which went on sale at midnight.

The Game store was due to open all night to take orders, even though the actual console had already sold out.

A new phenomenon - Black Friday - was also set to sweep Britain for the first time.

Commonly known in the US as the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally prices are slashed hugely as the country goes into the black for the first time.

Now hitting our shores, stores including Asda, Apple, John Lewis and PC World are touting bargains of up to 70% their usual price.

Bluewater was also hoping to draw in those with their December pay packets yet unspent to visit their newly-opened Winter Wonderland of grotto and ice rink.

To cope with crowds, the centre was taking on extra security staff, cleaners and other workers, it said.

Meanwhile, in Ashford, the Designer Retail Outlet was expecting a big effect from Black Friday.

A spokesman said: "Black Friday has spread to Britain, especially with it falling on the first weekend after pay day.

"We’re expecting a busy weekend ahead of us."

“We’ve been preparing for months, it’s as simple as that. This year we have been planning lots and lots of brand new Christmas lights.”

Meanwhile, in Maidstone, town centre manager Bill Moss was expecting a bumper Christmas.

He said: “One only has to walk around the town looking in the shops to see how much effort retailers put into it because really, this is the time of year when they make their money.

“Maidstone has a very broad offer, we’re the biggest shopping centre in Kent by an absolute mile.

“It’s all about attracting people to Maidstone and also encouraging people when they are here in town to go out and spend.”

One lucky gamer who will be sure to be spending this weekend with a PlayStation 4 is James Hunt, who won a new console and game bundle - just hours after it went on sale.

James, of Strood (above), was the winner in a competition run by kmfm's breakfast crew Rob and Emma.

Are you heading for the shops on Black Friday? Send us your pix to multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

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