THEY loved it so much the first time they decided to go again - 50 miles away.

A mother and daughter from Southampton queued for 27 hours to relive the experience of queuing up to enter a new IKEA.

Katie and Ella Cook were there when the city's own store opened in 2009, and were first in line this time at an opening in Reading.

They set up a tent at 7am - even though were unsure if they would buy anything in the Swedish furniture shop.

The pair said they did not want to buy anything specific but were keen to get ideas and to look at the shop's new offerings.

Mrs Cook said "We are originally from Wokingham and lived here 15 years ago and now live in Southampton.

"I went to the original opening of the IKEA Southampton store in 2009 as I have been a fan since I was a teenager and shopped in their Wembley store.

"As I was at the opening of IKEA Southampton, I wanted to bring my daughter along to the opening of IKEA Reading to enjoy the excitement and buzz that a new IKEA store brings."

She added: "We're not really sure if we want to buy anything. We want to look at the bedroom area to be honest, as we want to get some extra bits for Ella and her sister's bedroom. So we'll have a look around and see what there is."

Her daughter Ella, who embraced staff as she made her entrance, added: "I think we're just going for a little look around to get some ideas.

"Yesterday, everyone was sort of stopping and staring as they were driving past, giving us a wake and taking pictures when we weren't noticing."

More than 200 people queued outside the Reading store, in Calcot, ahead of the store's opening and more than 600 people were through the doors in the first 15 minutes.

The store's 370 employees welcomed crowds following a tree planting ceremony and ribbon cutting.

The 32,000 square metre IKEA is the 19th in the UK and the most sustainable in the country.

Photos via Solent News and Photo Agency