Gadget fans queue for hours for Apple's iPhone 4

Thousands of fans are braving the sun in snaking queues through London's streets. It's not Wimbledon causing the fuss, it's Apple's new iPhone 4.

The company's flagship Regent Street store in central London opened its doors early to deal with the expected demand for the new device. In Japan, people have been queueing for more than 24 hours to get hold of one.

An Apple spokesman confirmed the first eager customers had pulled out their sleeping bags outside the shop more than a day ago.

The latest smartphone is slimmer and more powerful than its predecessor with the new OS 4 operating system as standard, which makes multi-tasking third party apps possible for the first time.

It also allows live video calling via WiFi, has a gyroscope sensor to improve gaming and an oil resistant screen to avoid finger smears.

The iPhone 4 was first unveiled earlier this month. At the time, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs said it represented "the biggest leap since the original iPhone."

The company said it had already taken over 600,000 pre-orders for the new iPhone - the most it has ever taken in a single day.