OXFORD author Philip Pullman is hoping thousands of Oxfordshire residents visit local cinemas to see The Golden Compass, which opens in cinemas today.

The £90m blockbuster is based on Northern Lights, the first novel in Mr Pullman's award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy.

If the movie, starring Australian actress Nicole Kidman and James Bond star Daniel Craig, takes enough at the box office, then films will also be made of sequels The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.

Parts of The Golden Compass were shot in several city locations, including Radcliffe Square, Christ Church and Exeter College, in June.

Speaking from his home in Cumnor, near Oxford, after attending the London premiere, Mr Pullman said: "The film itself is fine. I like it very much - I hope lots of people in Oxford do go and see it.

"The film itself is a collaborative effort, especially a film like this that depends so much on special effects.

"All the computer-generated effects were extraordinary, but then so were the costumes which had to be sewn by hand."

The writer said he was looking forward to taking part in an hour-long question-and-answer session at the Phoenix Picturehouse in Walton Street, Jericho, on Sunday at 4.40pm, following a screening of the film at 1.45pm. The discussion will be broadcast via satellite to other cinemas around the country.

Suzanne Sheriff, manager of the Phoenix Picturehouse, said: "By embracing new technology we are able to offer a deeper understanding of Philip Pullman's work, not only to the people of Oxford but to cities all across the UK."

Tourism managers in Oxford estimate The Golden Compass will give the city's economy a £15m boost, with visitor numbers breaking the ten million mark in 2008.

Previous movies and TV shows shot in Oxford, including Harry Potter and Inspector Morse, all boosted visitor numbers.