There is not long to go now until one of the biggest shopping events of the year.

For one day every year bargain hunters pound the high streets, shopping centres and websites for the cheapest prezzies around.

Here's a rundown of five things every savvy shopper needs to know about Black Friday.

1. When is Black Friday this year?

It goes without saying, the annual shoppers' day of bargains always falls on a Friday. But this year you can expect to be hit with extraordinary sales and offers on November 24. If you're not around on the day though don't panic. Most retailers usually mark the bumper shopping event with a week of different offers. It is one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the UK.

2. How to get the best bargains?

If you're planning to go out on the big day be prepared to experience some queuing, especially in the busier shopping centres. Shoppers need to be quick as some items that go on offer only have a limited stock. You'll need to do your research. Just because Black Friday is on, that doesn't meant all the stores will be selling their stock at the cheapest price possible, so it's always worth shopping around.

3. Why is it called Black Friday?

Black Friday originally comes from The States and follows Thanksgiving which is always on the last Thursday of November. The reason it's called 'Black Friday' is because it's a day where business in the US is almost blacked out because everyone calls in sick to go shopping.

4. Cyber Monday and what is it?

If you somehow miss or manage to forget the day of giant savings is on then you can catch it all again on Cyber Monday. It falls on the Monday after Black Friday (November 27 this year) and was originally started by the large shopping websites to let people soak up the last of the bargains before Christmas.

5. Stock up on vouchers!

Those shoppers who are already thinking of what to get for Christmas might have been savvy enough to have started collecting their vouchers. It's not too late though to start collecting your tokens as every penny that you can save will help somewhere, especially around Christmas time.