Following this week's announcement that Sony's updated Portable PlayStation will launch in Japan September 20, the firm's European president has revealed the handheld console will be out in the UK first.

"This is an important new model,” said David Reeves. “Once people get it into their hands they will feel the difference. It will come out at €169 (around £114) in all PAL territories at the beginning of September.

“In Leipzig there will be a big demo of the video-out function and of new colours which will arrive after launch.”

The new PSP, which Sony claims is 33 per cent lighter and 19 per cent slimmer than its predecessor, will launch in black, silver and white colours and will represent a saving of around £15 on the £129.99 current model should the quoted price prove correct.