Microsoft has been forced to shelve any plans for an official Halo 3 midnight launch on Oxford Street due to fears from the local council.

However, the platform holder has promised that over 1,000 UK retailers will open their doors at midnight to allow consumers to get their hands on it early.

Microsoft’s head of gaming and entertainment Stephen McGill told MCV:

“Halo 3 launches in the UK on 26th September, and although we are not going to be running any official midnight opening events along London’s Oxford Street – due to Westminster Council’s concerns of huge crowds – we are pleased to confirm that over 1,000 retailers around London and the rest of the UK will be opening up at midnight.

"This will ensure fans can get their copy of Halo 3 it as soon as humanly possible - including many Game, Gamestation, HMV and Virgin Megastores stores, and of those that can’t open at midnight many will be opening early on the Wednesday 26th too.

"To celebrate the launch, on Tuesday 25th Halo 3 is taking over the BFI IMAX cinema in Waterloo (UK’s biggest cinema screen) where lucky fans and a number of top celebrities will be going head to head playing Halo 3 on the giant screen. Tickets to the red carpet premiere event can be won at www.xbox.com and myspace.com/UKXbox360, along with giveaways in The Daily Telegraph this Saturday and on Kiss FM next Tuesday."

Microsoft has also revealed that US megastar Pharrell Williams will be flying into ther UK for the release of Halo 3.

He’ll be hosting the party at the BFI IMAX cinema on September 25, where he’ll take on members of the public at the game, and “other major celebrities” around Europe via Xbox Live.