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More than 1,000 people queued this morning outside the Covent Garden Apple store as the iPhone 6 went on sale at 8am.

Desperate Apple customers, some of whom had waited outside the store for three days, were limited two phones each.

The first Apple fan to get his hands on the new model was 27 year old Sam Sheikh, from Manor Park, who bagged a gold coloured handset.

He said: “I’ve been queuing since Sunday. I’ve never had an iPhone because they’re always in such high demand so I thought to myself this year I’m going to queue and definitely get one. I’m absolutely ecstatic and my efforts have been rewarded. I’m a winner. I’m probably going to a friend’s house and share it around.”

Second in line was 26 year old student Jameel Ahmed, 26, from Harrow, who said: “I’ve been here since Monday. I missed out on getting the iPhone 5s gold and so it’s made me crazy about getting this one. This time I’m getting the £699 64 GB model. It’s the one I want and I’m looking forward to testing it out.”

“We’ve had a bit of rain but managed to stay undercover. It’s amazing to finally have it in my hands.”

He added: “I prefer queuing in this store than the one on Regent St. There’s a cover in case it rains, so its a lot more fun.”

Elias Bashan, 18, from Norway said he had flown over especially to queue for the gadget.

He said: “It’s a more beautiful design, and its generally faster. The new battery is supposed to last longer too.

“I know when I get mine I’ll want to go to sleep but I’m sure I’ll test it out first. I’ve flown over from Norway just for this. Last time I went to Paris.

“Last time it was crazy, there was basically a riot. People were screaming, getting pushed into barriers. I’m glad it’s not like that this time.”

Apple iPhone 6 launch 11 show all Apple iPhone 6 launch 1/11 iPhone 6 launch The iPhone 6, left, and iPhone 6 Plus (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 2/11 iPhone 6 launch Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPhone 6 (L) and iPhone 6 Plus (R) during Apple's launch event at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, California, USA. (Picture: EPA/MONICA DAVEY) 3/11 iPhone 6 launch Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discusses the new iPhone 6. (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 4/11 iPhone 6 launch The new Apple Watch (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 5/11 iPhone 6 launch Tim Cook explains how the new Apple Watch will works in conjunction with Apple Pay (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 6/11 iPhone 6 launch Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discusses messaging on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus. (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 7/11 iPhone 6 launch Apple is expected to reveal both the iPhone 6 and their long-rumored wearable smartwatch device. (Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) 8/11 iPhone 6 launch Reporters begin to gather near a large white temporary structure built by Apple before the start of Apple's launch event. (Picture: EPA/MONICA DAVEY) 9/11 iPhone 6 launch A throng of people wait to get inside the launch building (Picture: EPA/MONICA DAVEY) 10/11 iPhone 6 launch Zoltan, 24 from Bulgaria, who is holding the place for his girlfriend in Regent Street (Picture: REX) 11/11 iPhone 6 launch With an imminent announcement, a tent queue forms on Regent Street (Picture: REX) 1/11 iPhone 6 launch The iPhone 6, left, and iPhone 6 Plus (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 2/11 iPhone 6 launch Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPhone 6 (L) and iPhone 6 Plus (R) during Apple's launch event at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, California, USA. (Picture: EPA/MONICA DAVEY) 3/11 iPhone 6 launch Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discusses the new iPhone 6. (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 4/11 iPhone 6 launch The new Apple Watch (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 5/11 iPhone 6 launch Tim Cook explains how the new Apple Watch will works in conjunction with Apple Pay (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 6/11 iPhone 6 launch Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discusses messaging on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus. (Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 7/11 iPhone 6 launch Apple is expected to reveal both the iPhone 6 and their long-rumored wearable smartwatch device. (Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) 8/11 iPhone 6 launch Reporters begin to gather near a large white temporary structure built by Apple before the start of Apple's launch event. (Picture: EPA/MONICA DAVEY) 9/11 iPhone 6 launch A throng of people wait to get inside the launch building (Picture: EPA/MONICA DAVEY) 10/11 iPhone 6 launch Zoltan, 24 from Bulgaria, who is holding the place for his girlfriend in Regent Street (Picture: REX) 11/11 iPhone 6 launch With an imminent announcement, a tent queue forms on Regent Street (Picture: REX)

Richard Parks, 19, who is training to be a policeman and lives in Chelmsford, said: “I’ve bought two phones, so I’m going to sell the other one and make a bit of money from it. It’s all about the bigger screen - it’s the key feature.

“It’s the first time they have walked on their two feet since Steve Jobs died. They’re moving out of his shadow.”

Security staff kept people inside huge festival style barriers that stretched the entire length of Covent Garden up to the Royal Opera House entrance. Staff from nearby coffee shops could be seen taking orders for people waiting in line behind the barriers.

Outside the Covent Garden store sleeping bags and camping chairs can be seen littered around the courtyard.