Potter Causes Pandemonium

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets has caused pandemonium as British cinemas struggle to cope with the phenomenal advance demand for tickets.

All expectations have been smashed as 750,000 tickets worth $6 million US have been snapped up ahead of the trainee wizard's second outing which opens today.

Odeon cinema spokesperson Emma Stewart says, "We've sold 350,000 tickets in advance which is phenomenal."

A Warner Village Cinema spokesperson confirmed they had sold more than 365,000 tickets.

She says, "It's sometimes hard for sequels to match the first film. But with Harry Potter the level of interest has remained the same."