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There was midnight memorabillia madness in Oldbury tonight as nearly 200 people queued to get their hands on toys from the new Star Wars film, The Force Awakens.

In an event dubbed Force Friday, the doors at Toys “R” Us in Wolverhampton Road opened at a minute past midnight on the fourth as the first action figures and models went on sale in just five branches across the UK.

The toys were being rolled out over 18 hours in 15 cities across 12 countries, starting in Sydney.

Niall McMurray, the manager of the store in Oldbury, said that around 185 fans braved the autumn chill hoping to get hold of the coveted collectibles.

Among them was a Chewbacca, an Admiral Ackbar and X-Wing pilots, mingling with stormtroopers from the UK Garrison of the 501st Legion.

The most sought after action figure was that of Kylo Ren, the baddie in the new movie who will be played by Adam Driver.

However, there was inevitably disappointment for some as only 10 were available.

“They went straight away,” said Niall. “We only let people buy one of each item to prevent other people getting upset.

“There is more stock to come but at this stage it is a bit limited.”

The line started forming at 8pm and the first 75 people through the door received Star Wars giveaways, including a limited edition poster and T-shirt,

“The first person in the queue had saved for months and brought £250 with him and his credit card,” revealed Niall. “One customer spent £900!

“Everyone was very excited and very happy that they were the first to see the merchandise.”

The seventh film in the series is due for release on December 18.

Directed by JJ Abrams, it stars John Boyega as Finn, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Daisy Ridley as Rey, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma and Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke.

It also reunites Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels and Birmingham’s own Kenny Baker as Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 in a story set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi.