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IN PICTURES: Store Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens in Oldbury

As hype goes into hyperdrive over the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, it is easy to draw comparisons with real life. I was on a bit of an intergalactic mission you see? And my sidekick - 12-year-old son Matthew - was keen to join me.

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As the stars blurred, we neared our goal - Toys 'R' Us, Oldbury. The remit for the mission: to be among the first to set eyes on new merchandise for the eagerly awaited movie and report back from Force Friday at Toys 'R' Us.

Force Friday? Yep, only Star Wars could have such a global event for the release of its latest line of toys, books and apparel. The event at the Oldbury branch of Toys 'R' Us was one of only five in the UK for the chain of stores. As it was in a variety of stores around the globe, at one minute past midnight, the doors at the Toys 'R' Us branch near Birmingham, opened to the public.

Prior to that, a queue in excess of 150 fans waited patiently, posing for pictures with characters including Chewbacca, stormtroopers and X-wing pilots.

Judging by the queue ahead of me and the raffle ticket for a free prize draw, I was more or less half way in the pecking order.

I'd arrived at 11pm and having staked my place in line, made my way to the front to chat with the early arrivals.

For more from Store Wars see tomorrow's Weekend.

Did you queue up to get your hands on the merchandise, or are you a massive Star Wars fan? Send your pictures to Star Witness and be in with a chance of winning £100!

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