YOUNG Harry Potter fans were left spellbound after seeing the boy wizard's fourth adventure brought to life on the silver screen.

Thousands flocked to Cineworld in The Valley to catch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as it went on general release in Bolton on Friday.

Tickets were so in demand that the film was put on additional screens alongside the five already showing the movie.

Manager Shahid Hassan said: "We have been very busy. Many of the showings are sold out. It is unusual to have five screens showing one movie, but that shows how popular the film is."

Hundreds queued outside the cinema complex as young children through to grandparents waited to see the film.

Gemma Fairclough, aged 13, and Ruth Adams, aged 14, from Daisy Hill, got into the spirit by dressing up as mediaeval Gryffindors - the Hogwarts school house to which Harry and his pals Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger belong.

Gemma said: "We did it because we wanted to do something different. We are both big Harry Potter fans and really like the nasty teacher Professor Snape."

Ruth said: "We are 'Goths' and really like the atmosphere created in the Harry Potter books and films."

Katie Coop, aged 16, said: "I am a huge fan. I have read all the books and got all the other films on DVD. The books are so good because they are different and anyone can enjoy them."

Jordan Ramsden, from Manchester, said: "I have just finished reading the fourth book, and I am now really looking forward to seeing the film."

Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire follows the magical youngster as he competes in the Tri-Wizard Tournament against fellow wizards from other schools and some admitted they were a little frightened by the film's darker tone.

Jessica McClusky, aged 16, from Darwen, said: "I was a little frightened at some parts, but I get scared easily anyway."

Natalie Browning, aged nine, of Bradley Fold, said her favourite film was the first one. "But it was still really good," she said. "I have read most of the books."

Toby Minion, aged nine, said the film was not as good as The Prisoner of Azkaban but added: "I enjoyed it."