THE AMBULANCE service has urged shoppers not to get into a 'fight over a cut price television' when the high street is swamped by bargain hunters this Friday.

November 27 marks ‘Black Friday’ – when British retailers typically introduce large savings on various products to cash in on the run-up to Christmas.

Originally an American tradition marking the first day after Thanksgiving, the phenomenon has gained the reputation of turning mild-mannered UK shoppers into bargain-hunting maniacs.

Director of Operations at the North West Ambulance Service, Derek Cartwright, said: “We all remember the awful and chaotic footage from last year as people were hurt by being pushed over and trampled on as they hurried to get their hands on discounted electronics and goods.

“Hopefully this year people will be more mindful when attending the sales and understand the consequences of their actions as a fight over a cut price television is not worth a risk to your health, resulting in a call to 999.

“As large crowds gather at these events we would expect retailers to put in place the necessary security provisions to keep everyone safe so that our ambulance crews aren’t called out to injuries which are easily prevented.

“By doing this we will then be free to attend to those with a life-threatening or serious condition and are in most need of our help.”

Numerous violent incidents were reported across Greater Manchester last year, including brawls at Tesco stores in Old Trafford, Wigan, Walkden, Salford, Middleton and Hattersley.

NWAS ambulance crews were called out to incidents as people had been assaulted and received various injuries whilst attending the sales in 2014.

One incident included a lady who was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury when a television fell on top of her in a supermarket.