Filming starts for new Potter movie

Harry Potter fans have been cast under the boy wizard's spell once again as cameras rolled for the sixth movie in the series.

Cast and crew descended on Gloucester Cathedral this morning to shoot the eagerly-anticipated Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince.

Star-spotters in the city hope to catch glimpses of a host of A-list celebrities including Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the eponymous hero, Alan Rickman, who plays Professor Snape, and Dame Maggie Smith, who plays Professor McGonagall.

Warner Brothers' crews pitched up tents around the grounds of the cathedral and neighbouring King's School last month and have been preparing since.

Film-makers chose the 11th century cathedral as the perfect setting for scenes in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This will be the third time the school and cathedral grounds have been used for the Potter movie series - with The Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets both filmed there.

A total of 174 pupils from King's School, aged 11 to 18, are starring as extras in the multi million-pound production based on the JK Rowling-penned book.

Filming for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince started in the UK last September.

The sixth instalment sees Harry's arch nemesis Voldemort tighten his grip on the wizarding world, as the young wizard works alongside his mentor and headmaster Professor Dumbledore to bring their enemy's resurgence to an end.

The film is set for UK release on November 21.