A Mitcham teenager spent two days in a queue to be the first person in Britain to buy a coveted Playstation 3 (PS3).

Ritatsu Thomas, 17, began his shopping mission at 5am on Wednesday, March 21, at the Virgin Megastore in Oxford Street - 43 hours before the sought-after machine was launched.

The graphic design student already owns an Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii and was keen to get his hands on the new £425 console to complete the set.

He even managed to persuade his teachers to give him some time off school, as part of his course concentrates on the history of games.

The dedication paid off, and fans like Ritatsu who camped in the store's basement before the launch were also rewarded with a free 46-inch flat screen high-definition Bravia TV, which retails at £1,850.

Virgin and Sony laid on free food and entertainment for the campers and sent them home in a taxi, but Ritatsu was given extra sepcial treatment and taken home in a Hummer.

Speaking to the Evening Standard about his new purchase, Ritatsu said: "It feels excellent. I might have to play on it when I get home because I'm so excited I wouldn't be able to sleep."

The PS3 is designed to be a complete home entertainment system and is 35 times more powerful than the PS2.

With high-tech graphics, sound and action that promise to set it apart from its rivals, it can play games, discs, allows users to go online, and is compatible with digital cameras and MP3 players.