[Amy]

Harry Potter is set to weave his magic across cinemas as the latest film of the young wizard's adventures opens across the UK.

Thousands of fans thronged Leicester Square in central London on Sunday night for the European premiere of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Organisers said the crowd was three times the size of that at the New York premiere.

Radcliffe signed autographs for thrilled fans before he entered the cinema. He said: "It's so brilliant, it's so exciting to be here. It's bigger than New York and I didn't think that could be possible."

Questioned about his new heart-throb status, he said: "It's great, I have no problems with it so far."

Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who plays Hermione, set tongues wagging by holding hands during a photo-call for assembled media.

Watson earlier said about the crowd: "It's crazy. It's very flattering more than anything else."

Watson said she had been nervous about working with new director Alfonso Cuaron, but said: "He's very talented, I loved working with him and I think I learned a lot."

Author J K Rowling said she was working hard on the new book which was "well under way" but declined to give a date for its completion. She also praised the young stars of the films: "You could not meet a nicer, saner bunch of people."

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I'm really looking forward to watching the film!