Crowds of shoppers huddled into queues to get their hands on “Black Friday” deals.

Scores of people lined up for up to seven hours from 1am yesterday to get the first pick of cut price toys and gadgets on sale at 8am.

Deals available at Asda stores in Hollingbury and Brighton Marina proved popular with queues stretching outside the store.

Televisions, electric toothbrushes, children’s toys, coffee makers and other items, were all on the shelves waiting to be snapped up for a fraction of the original price – up to nearly 50% off in some cases – and most were sold within an hour.

In Hollingbury security guards were allowing shoppers into the store in groups of ten to seek out their deals and there were at least 150 people at Brighton Marina.

Kerry Ancell, community life champion at the Hollingbury store, said people were queuing behind barriers from 1am.

She said: “The televisions sold out in 20 minutes. One man played cards to keep himself entertained while waiting but realised, when he got to the front, the X Box he wanted was not on offer until today in our second sale Green Saturday. Three Police Community Support Officers were here to monitor the queues and there were a lot more people this year but it was very organised.”

Asda shopper Lewis Chamberlain said: “It is childish but this year people are more relaxed. It’s a lot smoother than I expected.”

Window displays at Churchill Square were lined with posters promoting deals of up to 80% off, and a centre spokesman said Game opened at midnight and had 150 people through the door in three hours.