"The Xbox 360 has virtually sold out in the UK as gamers rushed to snap up Microsoft's next generation games console, say retailers.

Dedicated fans queued overnight or in the early hours of the morning in the light of limited stocks.

Hundreds of Xbox 360s have appeared on the online auction site eBay, selling for more than double the retail price.

The limited stock has led retailers and gamers to criticise Microsoft for not supplying enough machines.

Midnight wait

In the UK, more than 200 gamers have queued for hours in the rain for the midnight launch of the console at Game's flagship store in London's Oxford Street

The first to lay his hands on the 360 was Kevin Sage, 33, of Sydenham, south London, who had waited outside the store since 1445 GMT.

"We have been waiting in this queue for hours and hours and now I can't wait to get home and play this game," he said.

"I've made so many new friends through this, it's a surreal experience and I will remember this for the rest of my life."

Elsewhere, hardcore gamers got up early on Friday to try to find the Xbox 360.

While some struck lucky, many others were left disappointed.

"Thought I'd wake up at 5am then sneak down to Toys 'R' Us in Nottingham. Got there at 5:50am. No joy though, over 20 queuing up!" wrote one gamer in a posting to a forum on the Xbox Scene fan site.

"I went to Telford Curry's this morning, 7:20am. I was 5th in the queue. Opened at 8am only to announce they had four. Four! Gutted," said another posting." [more]