MORE than 10,000 copies of Southampton's new Monopoly board game have flown off the shelves in the run-up to Christmas.

The city's long-awaited property trading game hit the high street in October - and has had to be re-printed three times already to meet demand.

London-based producer Winning Moves admits interest in the customised board game has far exceeded expectations.

Monopoly Southampton promoter Graham Barnes was keeping the number of games sold close to his community chest.

But he confirmed: "The success of Monopoly Southampton has taken us somewhat by surprise. In fact we almost ended up in the Monopoly jail for running out of supplies.

"It is great that Southampton people have taken the game to their hearts. It is already on its third re-print, as demand has far exceeded our initial forecast."

The Daily Echo understands the Southampton edition has sold more copies than other regional editions produced, such as Liverpool and Oxford.

Mr Barnes confirmed that Winning Moves had received orders from ex-pats in Spain, America, Canada and Australia.

The game features 30 city landmarks, including Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II terminal, Southamp-ton Common, WestQuay shopping centre, Southampton Central railway station and the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel.

p Free copies of the hit game, along with others donated by Winning Moves, have been dished out to youngsters at Southampton General Hospital.

Miss Southampton Emily Roberts donned her Santa suit to cheer up young patients on the children's wards in the run-up to Christmas.

Emily, 18, said: "I hope this selection of games will spread a little Christmas joy to the patients and their families."