People form long queues outside Bank of China Tower to snap up special-edition HK$20 Olympic banknotes more than a day before their official release in Hong Kong July 15, 2008. [Agencies] More Photos

HONG KONG - Thousands formed long queues outside Bank of China branches across Hong Kong on July 15, 2008, in a feverish bid to snap up special-edition HK$20 Olympic banknotes more than a day before their official release.

Residents including young children and pensioners flocked to the city's main Bank of China branch in the financial hub of Central at the crack of dawn, some hunkering down inside tents for a lengthy wait behind metal barricades.

People form long queues to snap up special-edition HK$20 Olympic banknotes more than a day before their official release in Hong Kong July 15, 2008. [Agencies]   More Photos

"I came with my friends because the Olympic banknotes have commemorative value," said Ken Yip, a 15-year-old who was playing with a Rubik's cube inside a blue tent stacked with snacks and comics.

Four million of the HK$20 ($2.56) Olympic banknotes will be issued, depicting a Greek pillar on the front and Beijing's Olympic "Bird's Nest" stadium on the other side.

China's central bank also issued six million new 10 yuan ($1.46) notes to mark next month's Olympic Games.

People form long queues outside the Bank of China Tower to snap up special-edition HK$20 Olympic banknotes more than a day before their official release in Hong Kong July 15, 2008. [Agencies]

Long queues had begun forming early on Monday, more than 48 hours before the banknotes were due to be issued on Wednesday.

But a severe thunderstorm on Monday night drenched thousands, with Hong Kong's Cable Television showing footage of crowds cowering under umbrellas.

The Bank of China was forced to issue banknote purchase vouchers late Monday night to disperse the crowds, given what it said in a statement "the overwhelming response from the public and the continuous unstable weather conditions."

A photo taken on July 11, 2008 shows a new HK$20 bank note commemorating the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. [Xinhua]  More Photos