THEY came, they queued, they shopped.

Dozens of fashion fans arrived at York's Top Shop store early yesterday to be among the first to get their hands on Kate Moss's new collection.

About 50 shoppers were waiting outside the Coppergate store when its doors were opened at 7am and the clothing range went on sale in the city for the first time.

The scene mirrored, in its own way, the hullabaloo in London's Oxford Street the night before when more than 1,000 shoppers waited for Moss's arrival at the shop.

Some had travelled through the night to reach the York store - one of only 16 in the country opening early - with the first arriving at about 4am.

Security staff guarded the store's entrance while Top Shop workers handed out goody bags including croissants and jelly beans to keep up the shoppers' morale.

When the clock hit 7am the first 15 people in the queue - with specially coloured wristbands - were allowed in for an exclusive 20 minutes of shopping.

They were permitted to buy only five items from the model's collection, but many rejoined the back of the queue after their first visit.

Phoebe Findley, 21, a student, of Newton-on-Ouse, and her friend, Stephanie Shepherd, 22, of Haxby, who works for the police, were among the first in the store, and had arrived at 6am.

Phoebe, who bought items including skinny jeans and a leather clutch bag, said: "There were particular things I wanted, but they did not have them in stock, which was a bit annoying.

"We are just big fans of Kate Moss and I like her style. I wanted the jeans because she looked good in them.

"Maybe it will rub off on me."

University of York students Jenny Wotherspoon and Catherine Pond, both 19, said they had planned to visit the city centre and decided to come in early for the opening.

Jenny said: "To be honest I thought there would be more people here so I thought we had better come here early".