CHILDREN across Gwent set their parents' alarms early on Sat-urday morning so they could be among the first to see Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone at Newport's UGC Cinema.

And the lucky children who watched the preview have given the big screen version of Harry's first adventure a big thumbs up.

Daniel Higgs, aged 11, of Normandy Way, Chepstow, has read all of Harry Potter's adventures in print and said: "The film was really exciting. I think it was just as good as the books, and Robbie Coltrane was very funny as Hagrid."

Daniel Cook, aged 10, of Gifford Close, Cwmbran, agreed: "It was wicked! I would say the film was better than the books.

"The bit in the forest was scary, but I don't want to give it away. I'm going to buy it when it comes out on video so I can watch it and watch it."

Ross Taylor, 12, of Normandy Way, Chepstow, said: "It was good because I'd read the book first, so it was easier to understand.

"If you hadn't read the book you would miss out on a lot of detail, but I don't think there were many things left out of the film."

Brothers Ross and Leighton Whiting, of Pine Grove, St Brides, enjoyed the film. Leighton, eight, said: "I liked it a lot. It was very funny and I want to watch it again. Nine-year-old Ross agreed: "I think it's my favourite film now." And Abbie Acott, 10, of Beech Grove, St Brides, said: "It was excellent. I've read one of the books but it still all came as a surprise."

Argus reporter Jane Helmich took four Newport children to see a preview screening of the film.

Sophie Brown, aged 13, of Richmond Road, said: "I thought it was brilliant and some of it was even better than the book."

Adam Pugsley, eight, of Christchurch Road, said: "A few characters were missing from the book but other than that it was perfect."

Bethany Seddon, aged 12, of Richmond Road, said: "It captured what I thought it would look like. If felt as if my imagination was being projected onto the screen."

Her nine-year-old brother Adam, who had not read any of JK Rowling's books, said: "My favourite bit was when Harry was facing Voldemort. Even though I hadn't read the books I understood most of what was going on."

*PICTURED: From top, Ron, Harry and Hermione from Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone.