SHOPPERS looking for a bargain have been heading to Bicester Village for today's Black Friday sales.

Travel measures have been put in place to deal with the increased amount of shoppers expected at the shopping centre, with shops opening at 7am.

The town's new park-and-ride, which is to be officially opened on Monday, has been in operation today to transfer shoppers between the bus station and the outlet shopping centre.

BicesterTAG has said that so far they have seen no traffic problems as it appears that fewer shoppers than expected have headed to Bicester Village.

Co-chariman Richard Mallows said: “It appears so far that due to Black Friday being less of an event nationally and Bicester Village's better preparations, so there have been fewer shoppers and no problems.

“However I understand all of the car parks are now full so the next few hours maybe more challenging.”

Bicester Village spokeswoman Miranda Markham confirmed that the park and ride was now being used with about 100 spaces filled so far. 

Nationwide shoppers are expected to spend about £1 billion this year during the sales. 

Known as the biggest shopping day of the year in the UK, the sales are an American tradition where shops offer big discounts on products.

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