Premiere magic for Harry Potter fans

The magic of Harry Potter cast a spell on London tonight as the stars turned out for the European premiere of the third movie.

Hundreds of fans thronged Leicester Square in central London for the latest in the series telling the tale of the young Hogwarts wizard, played by Daniel Radcliffe. With many dressing up as their favourite character.

American student Amy Sanmann, 20, from Oklahoma said she was especially pleased to be at the premiere in London: “I’ve read all the books and it’s really exciting. This was the real premiere for me. This is where the books are set so it’s more real and special to be here.”

Miss Sanmann said she was looking forward to seeing how the characters had grown and matured.

She said Ron Weasley was her favourite character “because he’s always there and a good friend”.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third movie in the hit children’s series penned by author J K Rowling. Harry Potter has proved a global hit and netted a massive £435m (€652m) for Rowling.

Olivia Dixon, 15, from Hereford, made the journey to London in the hope that she would catch sight of one of the film’s stars.

She said: “I love the films and I love the books. I want to see the people who make it.

“It’s an amazing story and it’s nice to see it on film.”

June Lovitt, nine, from Torquay, said she had heard the film was one of the scariest yet. Her mother has booked for her to see the film tomorrow. “All my friends are talking about it. My favourite is Hermione, she’s really brave and nice.”

In Yorkshire today, the famous red steam locomotive Olton Hall which stars as Hogwarts Express in the films, hauled a special train from Doncaster, bringing nearly 400 VIPs to York to celebrate rail festival Railfest at the National Railway Museum.

Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson and Gary Oldman are some of the new faces in the latest movie, directed by Alfonso Cuaron.

The film goes on general release in the UK this week.