Stores praise supply chain ahead of multiple midnight launches.

Retailers are expecting a "huge" launch for the PlayStation 3 next week, as Sony"s latest home console finally reaches Europe.

Aside from the official launch with Virgin Megastores, entertainment, specialist and independent stores across the UK are opening at midnight to fulfil pre-orders and sell consoles to punters eager to get their hands on the next-gen Sony machine.

"The launch of the PS3 is going to be huge," commented Jorden Jones, product manager at specialist chain Gamestation, which will be opening over 200 stores at midnight on March 22.

"We are very excited and have been working alongside Sony to create specially modified PS3 concept bays in some of our stores. By opening at midnight our customers can collect and play on their pre-ordered consoles as soon as possible," he said.

"After nearly twenty years in the business I"ve never known such charged anticipation for a console launch - it"s getting a little crazy and we"re still over a week away," said Steve O"Brien, veteran independent retailer.