FANS of computer games will be burning the midnight oil tonight when the new PlayStation 3 goes on sale.

GameStation, in Newport Street, Bolton, will open its doors at midnight tonight for customers who have pre-ordered the console.

PS3 was due to go on sale last November across Europe but the launch was put back until today because of a shortage of consoles.

Other stores plan to open from 7am tomorrow to allow people to purchase the £425 PlayStation before they go to work.

Will Van Duyvenvoorde, the store manager at GameStation, said: "We have had a number of people pre-ordering the console and we will be opening specially for them to collect their purchase at the midnight launch."

GAME, in Oxford Street, Bolton, is opening at 7am tomorrow and deputy manager Jenny Nichols said she was expecting a lot of people to come in before work. HMV at Middlebrook Retail Park will open at 7am tomorrow, while the town centre store will open at 8am.

A spokesman for the company said: "We are opening early to give games enthusiasts a chance to get their hands on the console at the earliest possible opportunity.

"Having waited patiently for months, now that PS3 has finally arrived, some will want to start playing straight away."