SCREENS at Black-burn's newest cinema sold out just minutes after the doors were opened for the first time.

More than 1,000 tickets were pre-booked to catch the first glimpses of the new Harry Potter movie at the Vue cinema, which opened yesterday.

All 1,647 seats for the 7.30pm viewing of the fantasy film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire were sold within minutes of 9am yesterday, with pre-bookings and hordes of families queueing from 8.30am to secure tickets.

Nearly 200 people had also passed through the doors at the 10 screen complex, off Lower Audley Street, by noon to watch early showings.

Manager Stuart Shepherd said this was "a sign of things to come" predicting huge success for the cinema, the first ever to be built from the ground by Vue.

The 25-year-old, from Chorley, who has also worked at Vue in Accrington, revealed he was not always sure it would be ready in time.

But after being thrilled with the team's hard work over the last three months he said the 19 viewings today of the new film was just the start of "giving the public what they want".

He said: "It is so amazing to see members of the public in the screens. It has been on its way for so long that now its here its amazing. This is going to be very popular. We have had great feedback already. I am really pleased with how things are going.

"I thought I was going to have to report truants when two young lads turned up in their school uniforms. But they just wanted to book tickets for later. Bless them."

Alan Taylor, 67, of Sunny Bank Road arrived early to get two tickets for his grandchildren. He said: "I wanted to make sure I got the tickets. I think it's brilliant, it is time Blackburn got a cinema like this.

"We used to go to the Apollo or to Preston. Preston was better for parking and it looks like it will be the same here.

"We will definitely be going to the cinema more now."

Ivan Lavely, 54, of Mount St James, Knuzden, was buying tickets for his two children and six of their friends for the film.

He said: "They asked me to come down here. I go occasionally to the Apollo or to the others in Preston.

"I think as far as cinemas go these multiplex's are a good thing because do have a bigger choice of films and you have a much better chance of seeing a popular film and not have to wait."

Mr Shepherd revealed he did have reservations about the decision to scrap the box office and sell tickets from the popcorn and drink stands.

He said: "It is a great idea. We do it at a handful of our other cinemas. It works well because it means less queueing, it cuts it in half. It means only one queue. But with it being a change people might not like it."

"Even if they don't like it at first I'm sure they'll get used to it. Everyone hates queues. This should be one of the cinema's major advantages."

The final part of the £20million leisure complex, the new Bowlplex on the ground floor, is due to open on Monday with a 24-lane bowling alley.