Red carpet leads to Narnia blockbuster

Twelve-year-old star Georgie Henley chatted with delighted fans and signed autographs before the film - the third major movie to get a premiere at the town's Plaza cinema.

The audience included Skipton Mayor Coun Carole Manley and the chairman of Craven District Council, Coun Marcia Turner.

Others who packed into the Sackville Street cinema paid £12.50 each for the privilege of seeing the second of the Narnia films four days before it went on general release.

Proceeds from the premiere were donated to Cancer Research.

Despite some problems with the sound, the delighted crowd gave the film a firm thumbs-up at curtain-down by breaking into rapturous applause.

Georgie, from Ilkley, was accompanied by parents Mike and Helen, but watched the film with friends.

Before the show, she said she hoped people would enjoy the film. "I would like to thank you all for coming and supporting Cancer Research. It is such a good cause and I hope you enjoy the film as much as I enjoyed making it," she said.

Georgie, who plays Lucy Pevensie, has a larger part than in the first film, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and is set to appear in future films, as her character, unlike her older siblings, returns for further adventures.

Cinema owner Charles Morris apologised in advance to the audience for a suspect film reel, which he said had been replaced by one from the Keighley Picture House.

And he thanked Georgie for attending the premiere.

After the showing, Coun Turner, who won a raffled copy of Prince Caspian signed by all the cast, said she had enjoyed the film.

"I thought the film was very good and the whole thing was very well organised. Georgie Henley was very modest, but sincere in her address and when she came and sat down with her friends she was just one of the girls," said Coun Turner.

* The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is currently playing at Skipton Plaza daily at 4.45pm and 7.45pm.