TICKETS for special cathedral screenings of the first Harry Potter film have sold out in just 12 hours.

Three screenings of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will take place in Durham Cathedral, where several scenes from the hit movie were shot, on Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7.

The event has been timed to mark 20 years since the publication of JK Rowling’s debut novel and launch the Durham Book Festival.

Tickets for all of the screenings sold out within 12 hours of going on sale on Monday, guaranteeing a full house for Daniel Radcliffe’s first outing to Hogwarts.

The cathedral’s cloisters had a starring role in the first and second Potter films, most notably as the snow-covered quadrangle where Harry releases his pet owl Hedwig in The Philosopher’s Stone.

Now 1,500 lucky ticket-holders will congregate in the nave of the cathedral to watch the 2001 film in a magical setting.

This is not the first time the cathedral has hosted film screenings. 2014 saw the broadcast of an award-winning documentary on Labour MP Tony Benn, though this is the first time a Hollywood blockbuster has graced the historic building.

The magic continues on 7 and 8 October with an exhibition on witchcraft in Palace Green library.

Other highlights of the Durham Book Festival include readings from Harriet Harman, Alan Hollinghurst and Robert Webb, along with an ambitious commission for four writers to novelise the news featuring Lionel Shriver.

Tickets for all events are available now on the festival website.