In pictures: Barbie mania hits Bedford’s shopping centre as people pose in giant doll box

Barbie mania hit Bedford last week following the release of the summer blockbuster film Barbie the Movie.

The film, which was released in the UK to coincide with the school summer holidays, was an instant hit with audiences following a pink promotional campaign including the Barbie box which stopped off on a special visit to the town’s Harpur Shopping Centre.

The Barbie box, which celebrates all things Barbie, wowed fans who have been able to get those all important photos with the iconic accessory.

Starring Margot Robbie the film Barbie shot to the top of box office charts worldwide and has remained popular in the five weeks since its release on July 21.

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The Barbie doll was first sold in 1958 but Barbie officially debuted on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York. Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the US with adult features. The doll's original design was based on a German doll named Lilli, which was originally marketed as a raunchy gift for adult men. Mattel bought the rights to Lilli, and renamed the doll Barbie after creator Ruth Handler’s daughter, Barbara.

In 1961, the company released a boyfriend figurine for Barbie, which Handler named after her son, Ken.

Since launching Barbie has successfully remained one of the world’s bestselling toys. The original dolls are now collector’s items selling for thousands of pounds with the Diamond Barbie, the most expensive, valued at more than £20k.