POTTER mania has swept the region as the final film in the Harry Potter series hits the big screen.

Hundreds of fans desperate to be at the first showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 filled every seat at the Odeon Cinema at Wrexham’s Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre for Friday’s one minute past midnight event.

And plenty of fans came dressed as their favourite Hogwarts character to see how it all ends for Harry, Hermione and Ron Weasley.

Kelly Farrell, 22, who grew up in Chester but now lives in Llangollen, dressed as Harry himself for the screening and went along with her sister, Sue Evans, friend Laila Noble and Sue’s daughter, Beth, 12.

Former care assistant Kelly, who is now a student, said: “My sister and I have been to every first screening and queued to be first at every book launch. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“I just love the whole Harry Potter story. I have grown up reading and watching Harry and the rest of the characters. It’s so sad this is the final film in a way but I suppose the story has to end.”

Chester teenagers Sophie Hurst, Ellie Mageean, Samira Rahmani-Torkaman and Chloe Chapman, all 15, who are all Christleton High School pupils, dressed as Hogwart students for the screening.

Ellie, who has actress Emma Watson’s autograph among her prized possessions, said: “We were determined to be at the first screening and simply had to get seats.”

Also mad keen to secure their seats to ensure they were one of the first to see the film were Wrexham teenagers Paige Coppack, 14, and Nicole Pinkerton, 15.

Dressed up for the occasion Paige said: “We are massive Harry Potter fans and couldn’t miss being at the first showing. We have seen every film and read every book.”

Cinema manager, Kenny Kempster, says the first screening was hectic.

He said: “We are showing Deathly Hallows Part 2 across five screens and every seat in the house was sold out for the first screening.

“Everyone has been very patient while we got everyone in and the atmosphere has been brilliant.

“It’s nice to see so many people dressed in costume for the event and having a good time.

“Every seat is pretty much sold out for the first week which is always the case when a new Harry Potter film is released.

“It’s such a shame that this is the final Harry Potter film.”

And the verdict of fans leaving the cinema?

“Brilliant, the best one yet,” said Kelly. “It was really fantastic, unbelievably good.

Without a shadow of a doubt I’m coming back to watch it again.” Her sister agreed, adding: “It was worth staying up until the early hours.

“It was riveting from start to end and will no doubt become a classic. How sad that it’s the final Harry Potter film.”

Scott Smith, Angharad Brown, Elisha Baker and Johnathon Lloyd were equally impressed.

Scott said: “Superb; I’d have to say it’s the best of the whole series, even if the story gets a little dark.”

Angharad added: “It’s a tremendous film and I’d agree the best yet it grips you right from the start and stays faithful to the book. The fact it’s in 3D is amazing too.”