Cinema bosses in Oxford are experiencing unprecedented demand for tickets for the new Harry Potter film.

The Warner Brothers movie of the best-selling JK Rowling book, Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, which was premiered yesterday, gets its first preview showings in Oxford next weekend at the Odeon Cinemas in George Street and Magdalen Street.

The film, which features scenes shot in Catte Street, Oxford University's Bodleian Library and Christ Church, opens officially at the Oxford cinemas on November 16.

David Holmes, Odeon duty manager, said there was enormous demand for tickets because Harry Potter appealed to children and adults alike.

He said: "The film is going to be absolutely massive, there's no doubt about that. I don't think we will have seen the same levels of excitement since Grease, or maybe ET.

"Titanic was different because its target audience was adults but this film will be hugely popular with a young audience. A month later the Lord Of The Rings film is out, so it's going to be a very busy time."

Mr Holmes advised film fans to call the advance booking line on 0870 50 50 007 to avoid disappointment. and to collect tickets before a screening to avoid queues.

Mr Holmes added: "The preview screenings are close to selling out and when the film opens properly the following week, there will be 11 shows daily on three screens."

The Odeon has eight screens at its two sites, which will leave room for five other films.

"American Pie II has been doing very well, and we want to keep some choice for customers but Harry Potter will be the film everyone is talking about," said Mr Holmes.

The Regal Cinema in Henley has stopped taking block corporate bookings for the film because it wants to keep seats free for schoolchildren.

The Odeons in Oxford have had no requests for corporate bookings but a number of schools, including Edward Feild Primary School, in Kidlington, are hoping to organise special screenings.