IT IS the news board game fans have been waiting to hear. Southampton's long-awaited version of Monopoly will hit the shops next month, in good time for the Christmas rush.

Promoters have been deluged with inquiries about the game and are expecting initial stocks to fly off the shelves quicker than you can say "do not pass go".

Graham Barnes, Southampton Monopoly promoter, said: "The game has gone down beyond our wildest expectations. We are having to print thousands of extra copies from our original quota.

"Our research suggests there are a lot of close family ties in the city, with many families looking forward to sitting down and playing the new game."

Woolworths and WH Smith are among high street names which have already pledged to stock Southampton Monopoly, which will retail at £24.99.

London-based games company Winning Moves UK announced plans for either an official Southampton or Portsmouth Monopoly game six months ago.

The firm pressed ahead with the Southampton version after the city trounced its south coast rivals by 3,062 votes to 1,427.

The get-rich-quick property trading game will retain all the core items of the original Monopoly, which has sold 200m copies worldwide since its intervention in 1935.

MONOPOLY chiefs are keeping their decisions on which Southampton landmarks are included on the board under their trademark bowler hats and close to their community chests.

The Daily Echo can, however, confirm that fighting it out for the top Mayfair slot are QE2, St Mary's Stadium, WestQuay shopping centre and the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel.

Insiders also say the Old Kent Road bargain basement £60 spot will be a "surprising" choice.

All will be revealed on October 21, when the game is due to receive a five-star launch in Southampton.

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