US iPad success delays launch in Britain

(Apple)

The UK launch for Apple's iPad tablet computer has been delayed by a month because of high demand in the US, the company said today.

More than 500,000 iPads were delivered in its first week of sale in America and Apple has admitted its surprise at the demand, which it expects will outstrip supply for the next few weeks.

An Apple statement said: "Demand is far higher than we predicted and will likely continue to exceed our supply over the next several weeks as more people see and touch an iPad."

The UK was expecting to receive its first shipment of iPad's by the end of April. However, eager consumers desperate to get their hands on Apple's device now face another month of waiting.

The iPad's UK price has not been announced but Apple promised to make it known on May 10, the day pre-orders open.

The statement continued: "We know that many international customers waiting to buy an iPad will be disappointed by this news, but we hope they will be pleased to learn the reason - the iPad is a runaway success in the US thus far."