Brighton's main shopping centre was a mass of delirious, red-eyed, shivering youngsters as die-hard Apple fans queued overnight for the launch of the new iPhone 5.

Technology nuts, who came from as far as Kent and Surrey, started their vigil as early as 10.30pm on Thursday.

And despite temperatures slumping overnight, spirits were high, with Apple staff handing out coffee and Danish pastries.

Ben Foldesi, 17, and his dad Adrian made the journey from Angmering on Thursday evening, arriving at Churchill Square Shopping Centre shortly before 10.30pm.

Ben said: “It was great to be at the front of the queue. We didn’t get much sleep but it was definitely worth it.”

Stuart Chapman, 37, was still a long way back in the queue having arrived at 5am. He said: “I was here for the last launch and there are definitely more people this morning.”

Freezing customers kept themselves warm overnight with impromptu games of football on the plaza, complete with jumpers for goalposts.

Others chatted around a makeshift barbecue with some watching films and listening to music for the last time on their iPhone 4s.

A small group even decided to make a night of it, joining the queue after rolling out of a nearby nightclub in the early hours.

Pals Ibrahim Abusanina, 27, Daniyar Tashulat, 19, and Abdulrahman Algasn, 19, emerged from the Apple store at 8.45am, giddy with excitement and grins from ear to ear.

Mr Tashulat said: “It’s the best phone in the world. I’ve been waiting for this for a year-and-a-half so I can’t believe I’ve finally got my hands on it.”

Hanne Krogsgaard-Nielsen, who is originally from Denmark but now lives in Burgess Hill, was attending her first iPhone launch.

She said: “They haven’t released it in Denmark yet so I’m actually buying two phones to send home.”