It is the festive news tens of thousands of parents have been longing to hear.

A giant container ship holding 50,000 Frozen Snow Glow Elsa dolls – this year’s must-have toy for girls – has arrived in Britain just in time for Christmas.

The £34.99 figure from Disney’s animated film Frozen became this Christmas’s most sought-after present, selling out in the shops within days and prompting an internet shopping frenzy that has seen the dolls change hands for up to £220.

The £34.99 figure from Disney’s Frozen became this Christmas’s most sought-after present, selling out in the shops within days. Pictured Meredith McMillan-Ward with one of the first new dolls to be delivered

Now in a move dubbed Operation Elsa, manufacturer Jakks Pacific has sent a special delivery from its factories in China to meet the huge demand.

The ship, the MOL Quartz, docked in Southampton last week, and delivery drivers are now working around the clock to unload 12 containers of Disney merchandise and rush them to high street stores such as The Entertainer.

Ken Goodisson, Jakks Pacific’s senior marketing director, said: ‘The Snow Glow Elsa doll is selling out the moment it hits the shelves.

'We are thrilled there’s been such an overwhelming demand, but do not want any child to be disappointed this Christmas. That’s why we organised a final shipment which should hit the shops this week.’

Tthe MOL Quartz (pictured) docked in Southampton last week, and delivery drivers are now working around the clock to unload 12 containers of Disney merchandise

Frozen, which tells the story of Queen Elsa, who is forced to flee her kingdom because everything she touches turns to ice, has become a global phenomenon since it was released in November last year.

It won Best Song for Let It Go and Best Animated Feature at this year’s Oscars, and has overtaken Toy Story 3 to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, earning £800 million in box offices worldwide.

Merchandising has also become a huge money-spinner, with a range of dolls, accessories and a clothing line netting more than £65 million and boosting Disney’s profits.