FILM fans in the region are going Harry Potter potty in their efforts to be among the first to see the year's hottest movie.

With the young wizard weaving his spell across the country, cinemas have already sold thousands of tickets for preview showings on November 10 and 11.

And some screenings of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, when it goes on general release on November 16, have already sold out.

At the UCG complex in Boldon, Tyne and Wear, four screens will show a combined 20 viewings a day on the preview dates.

Supervisor Jaqi Wright said last night: "Some of the later showings are already half full."

At Darlington's ABC cinema, manager Nici Waller said: "The previews aren't sold out yet, but they are going very well. The first performance on the 16th, the opening day, is sold out."

She thinks some people do not realise the previews show the full film and not a shortened version.

Meanwhile, the film has been described as "eye-popping" and having "dazzling special effects".

But its first review, in an American magazine, says the blockbuster is not perfect.

Time magazine, which has been shown the film ahead of the critics, says that the book is "a more transporting piece of entertainment".

But the review says that fans will not be disappointed by the £90m production, which contains stunning attention to detail