ENCHANTED youngsters queued in their hundreds throughout Suffolk as Potter magic began to sweep the county this week.Some were clothed in official merchandise, others bore the scars of months of anticipation and, as the performance approached, tension could be felt across a packed cinema.

ENCHANTED youngsters queued in their hundreds throughout Suffolk as Potter magic began to sweep the county this week.

Some were clothed in official merchandise, others bore the scars of months of anticipation and, as the performance approached, tension could be felt across a packed cinema.

Youngsters from across Suffolk visited the UGC cinema in Ipswich yesterday morning to view the first daylight showing of the third Harry Potter film.

The Ipswich premiere of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban hit the screens at 12.30am but many youngsters had to wait until the 9.30am viewing to see their hero in action.

They travelled from as far as Ixworth, Palgrave and Boxford to witness the teenage icon in his latest adventure and many had high expectations of the film.

Elizabeth Cave, 13, from Boxford and friend Lucy Mellamphy, 12, of Ipswich had bought tickets to two showings of the film, both on the same day.

Elizabeth said: "I like them for the action. I've seen the first two and thought they were really good.

"I've read all of the books and the third one is my favourite. I like all the magical beasts and the Dementors."

Lucy added: "I think the actors are good as well. This one is more scary and I'm looking forward to it."

The girls bought their tickets three or four weeks ago and admitted they had been waiting for the film's release for months.

In fact the girls were so carried away with the occasion they had even marked themselves with Harry scars "because it's cool."

Also attending the 9.30am show was seven-year-old James Hawkes from Palgrave, near Diss.

He said: "I expect the Dementors to be scary and I have read the book. It is one of the best Harry Potter books.

"I've seen the first two films lots of times and I've got the DVDs."

James' attended the film with his dad who had argued with his mum about who would take the youngster.

James added: "I've been looking forward to it since May 19 (when his dad bought the tickets) and will probably get it on DVD."

With the subject of the third film slightly darker and the triumph of good over evil seemingly more prominent, six-year-old Jake Barnes from Ixworth summed up the moral message of the film. He said: "I like Harry because he's on the good team."

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