Leading UK retailers have told MCV that extra GTA IV stock is being hurriedly pushed into stores in order to cope with the ‘manic’ demand expected this weekend.

However, the channel has admitted that the title is still expected to sell out on PS3 and 360 by Saturday lunchtime.

Head of trading for entertainment at PC world Rene Wright told MCV: "I am pleased to say that all PC World stores will have significant replenishment stocks of GTA on PS3 and Xbox 360 this weekend.

“However, as everyone is doubtless aware, the huge demand in the market means that this stock will sell out quickly, and we will then once again be gearing up to distribute the next delivery of this inimitable product to our stores."

Asda games buyer Andy McFie added: “We are expecting a small amount of GTA stock in-store tomorrow. But the expectation is that this will sell out within a couple of hours of hitting the salesfloor.”

And a spokesperson for HMV commented:

“I understand we've had more stock yesterday, and are expecting more in today for the weekend - so it should be another manic few days, especially with all the press advertising and in-store graphics currently running - which help to keep fuelling demand.”

Category buyer at Comet Debbie O'Neill told MCV:

"We had stock delivered yesterday but this is by no means enough for demand at the moment and we are having to be quite select about how we allocate.

I don't think the weekend we would like will be as big as it could be because of the stock. We are receiving a very high number of calls from consumers enquiring about free stock but unfortunately will not be able to satisfy all of them as it stands."

A Woolworths spokesperson said: "We will have stock tomorrow on both formats. If Tuesday is anything go by it will sell out fast."

GTA sales in the UK smashed previous records after its first day on sales on Tuesday, hitting 609,000 units according to retail monitor ChartTrack.