CROWDS surged through the doors of stores across the region as Black Friday shoppers hunted for bargains on what has become one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Scores of shops opened at midnight to take full advantage of the day, which originated in the US and offers huge discounts on items, including electricals and clothes.

In Darlington, queues for video game retailer Game stretched to the doors of the Cornmill Centre ahead of the store opening at midnight on Thursday.

Sixteen-year-old Kieran Renwick, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, was one of hundreds who stayed up late to grab a bargain.

He said: "I couldn't believe how many people were out and about - it was crazy but then some of the discounts were huge."

Darlington police also urged people to keep their bags and purses safe, after a pickpocket struck in the busy town centre.

Meanwhile, officers from Cleveland Police attended Tesco Extra stores in Stockton and South Bank, in Middlesbrough, just after midnight after hundreds of shoppers gathered in the hope of bagging a bargain.

A force spokesman said: “We have had reports from stores and CCTV cameras of in excess of 500 to 700 people at each of the large Tesco Stores at Stockton and South Bank, as well as smaller groups at some town centre shops.

“With these numbers comes extra traffic and on occasions heated exchanges between customers and occasionally towards staff. Officers have assisted the store management to ensure everyone stays safe.”

One person who bagged a coffee machine at a knock-down price tweeted: "After the absolute carnage that is black Friday in a Tesco Extra in the North of England, I walked away with a £100 coffee machine for £30."

Hundreds of people also gathered at midnight at Tesco Extra, in Durham, which limited customers to one item each, while the Metrocentre, in Gateshead, saw an increase in Christmas shoppers.

Marketing manager Helen Atkinson said: “The malls have been really busy since we opened our doors this morning with shoppers looking for a Black Friday bargain combined with the fact that it’s the last main pay day before Christmas.

“There is a real Christmassy buzz in the centre with our staff in festive jumpers, entertainment on the malls and plenty of offers across the whole weekend.”