Lord of the Rings fans in Norway have been queuing in the cold for three weeks for tickets to the premiere of the final film in the trilogy.

Some 144 fans, dressed as Tolkien creatures such as hobbits, elves and orcs, have been queuing outside the Colosseum Cinema in Oslo.

Their wait ended today as tickets finally went on sale and they could return to their homes, reports Aftenposten.

They had to get somebody to stand in for them if they wanted to leave to shower or eat, and any fans who took long breaks without a substitute had to go to the back of the queue.

The reaction to their dedication has been mixed, with some passers-by urging the faithful to get a life.

But Anette Hellaa Christiansen, who was number seven in the queue, said: "They don't know what they are talking about.

"This is so social, so pleasant. Many from last year's queue have moved in together. Eccentrics have to stick together."

Source: Press Release