THE five winners of our competition to win tickets to see Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone have delivered their verdict - it's even better than the book!

The talented quintet all won tickets to see the film at a special preview showing at Warner Village Cinema in Clifton Moor a week before it goes on general release this Friday.

Each could take a friend or relative after coming up with a spell which caught the judges' eyes.

And as they came out of the cinema two-and-a-half hours later, their verdict was that the film was better than the book.

Comments on young actor Daniel Radcliffe's performance in the title role varied from "excellent" to "very, very good".

They all said the film was as good as the book, with some saying it was better.

Samantha Dykes, 15, of Acomb, said: "Every detail from the book was there, especially in Diagon Alley."

She said she could only pick out two areas where perhaps the film was lacking.

"I think the journey to Hogwarts could have been longer and the defeat of Voldemort could have been more detailed."

Ruth Price, 13, of Burton Stone Lane, said she would have liked to see the film show how addresses changed on envelopes and Thomas Sleeman, nine, of Alne, said he could have coped with the film being "more scary".

When asked to nominate a favourite character, Samantha, Ruth and Thomas said Hagrid, the friendly giant.

Samantha said: "He was just so clumsy and likeable - Robbie Coltrane really suited the part."

George Crook, nine, of Clifton Moor, said his favourite character was Draco, the school bully, whom he described as "a real baddie", and Edward Cooper, nine, of Huntington, said his was Ron, Harry's best friend.

Marks out of ten ranged from ten to 12, the special effects were praised, and expectations were high for the next film in the series.

"I would hope it would be just as good or even better - can't wait," said Samantha.

Overall, all five said it was their film of the year.

Edward said: "My mum Kate thought it was good as well."

And George added: "We muggles enjoyed it!"

* See this website tomorrow for more of your Harry Potter spells=

Updated: 11:16 Monday, November 12, 2001