IT is the latest must-have gadget.

More than 150 technology fanatics queued up for hours outside the Apple store in Southampton’s WestQuay Shopping Centre to be the first to get their hands on the computer firm’s newest toy – the iPad.

As the expectant shoppers waited for 8am, staff went out to greet all of them before counting down to the moment the ‘Jesus tablet’ went on sale.

Computing student Mike Taylor, 22, was the first through the door, to a round of applause from workers, having started queuing at 5am.

He said: “I wanted to be here early because it’s the latest gadget, everyone wants one and I like to get the latest things – I just want to get home and get on it now.”

Shuaib Qayum, 32, arrived so early he was able to go back for an hour’s sleep in his car, and still be near the head of the queue.

The University of Southampton IT worker, from Shirley, said: “I’ve got to go to work now and show everyone – I probably won’t get much work done today.”