Double maths and PE were nothing more than distant memories when a Casterton schoolgirl rubbed shoulders with the stars at the world premiere of the new Harry Potter film last weekend.

Naia John found herself treading the red carpet along with the famous at the eagerly awaited premiere of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets at the Odeon, Leicester Square, on Sunday.

The 11-year-old said she leapt for joy when her mum Deborah had told her a week earlier that a family friend had managed to bag the hot tickets: "I was watching TV when my mum told me and I was so excited I was jumping about.

I really love Harry Potter.

I have all the books and I have read them at least twice."

Refreshed from a good night's sleep at the swanky Dorchester Hotel and glammed-up in her spangly trousers and new denim coat, Naia said the atmosphere was unbelievable.

"It was an amazing experience.

I could not believe it.

I had always imagined that if I had ever gone to a premiere I would be on the other side of the barriers.

There were lots of people shouting - they knew I wasn't famous but they screamed anyway!"

Eager for autographs, the star-struck youngster got scribblings from most of the cast including Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) and Emma Watson (Hermione) but said one of the most memorable moments was having her photograph taken with Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe.

Describing the new film as "brilliant", Naia and her mum then headed for the after-show cocktails and banquet at The Savoy Hotel where she topped off her celebrity sightings by meeting the author of the Potter tales, J.K.

Rowling.

Now settling back into the normality of school life after the big weekend, Naia, who wants to be an actress when she is older, was the envy of the school when she returned to Casterton on Tuesday: "Everybody was looking at my autographs.

It was an amazing experience and it made me the most popular person in school for the day!"

l In the meantime Harry Potter fever is set to grip South Lakeland as local cinemas put on preview screenings of the new film this weekend.

The Brewery Arts Centre has already sold out for today's showings as eager viewers rush for a glimpse of the action before the film's general release on November 15.

The Royalty, in Bowness, Zefferellis, in Ambleside, and the Brewery Cinema are all showing the previews of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets from today (Friday) until Sunday and again on November 14.