The iPad has finally hit Apple stores in the UK – and not a moment too soon, according to the people who stood in line for more than a day. People began lining up outside Apple’s London store on Regent’s Street – in a line which literally ran down and around the corner into Hanover Square. Estimates claim there were more than 500 people in line at this store alone… and there was reportedly police milling about to act as crowd control.

Photo credit to @jasonlan

Essex teenager Jake Lee was first in the line, having gotten there around noon yesterday with three of his friends. He literally ran into the store when the time came this morning, following a loud countdown from store employees and the gathered crowd. As he came out clutching his prized possession, he said that he felt “ridiculously amazing.” He also compared the event to the release of a new Lady GaGa album in the United States.

Keep in mind that the launch of the iPad was delayed originally, due to sales in the U.S. far exceeding the number that Apple had counted on. It was supposed to go on sale more than a month ago in the UK and finally made its way to stores only this morning. The device that allows a person to send email, watch videos and movies, read books, draw pictures and play games is selling for £429 for the basic version and £699 for a model with Wi-Fi and 3G network access.