SINGAPORE - Seventeen Straits Times readers beat the crowd on Saturday to getting new limited-edition SG50 sets of Hello Kitty dolls launched by McDonald's.

The locally-themed dolls are to be released later this month, but ST readers got the chance to win themselves an early set by submitting a photo of them having a memorable moment at McDonald's.

The set of six dolls, which is worth $80, includes the Trishaw Uncle, Durian Lover and Samsui Woman. The final doll is dressed as a McDonald's crew member.

Mr Andreas Toh, 23, submitted a nostalgic photo of himself aged four, posing with Ronald McDonald in the outlet at King Albert Park, which has since closed down.

The Nanyang Technological University student said he and his younger brother used to visit McDonald's to get the Happy Meal toys such as Power Rangers. He entered the contest at his mother's behest, as she enjoys collecting Hello Kitty.

"She's very excited about my win," he said.

Online pre-orders for the Hello Kitty dolls will be opened to the public on July 20, and the toys will be sold in outlets starting July 27.

About 450 people entered the contest, which ran from July 8 to 14.