Is Harry Potter too scary?

With the terrifying Lord Voldemort back from the dead and a life-threatening wizards competition for the hero, debate has already started as to whether the latest Harry Potter is simply too scary for children.

Billed as the darkest and most intense of the series so far Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, which had its premiere in Leicester Square last night, has been given a 12A rating - deemed unsuitable for children to watch without an adult.

The British Board of Film Classification has warned the Goblet of Fire has the " potential to frighten some children" and stepped up the rating from the PG certificate of the previous three films.

The fourth film to be adapted from the series, this latest offering sees Harry face a "nightmarish" underwater test and come face to face with his bitter enemy, the evil Lord Voldemort, played by Ralph Fiennes. Film critics are now warning it may be too much for some younger children.

Daily Mirror film critic David Edwards said: "Much, much darker than anything that's come before, I wouldn't recommend the movie to young children. There's a menacing edge to the film that never lets up and Fiennes's villain is the stuff of kids' nightmares." Chris Tookey, of the Daily Mail, said: "This is the darkest and scariest yet of the Harry Potter films (small children, beware!), but it's also the funniest."

For many children attending the London premiere the fear was part of the fun. Luke Nikolic, four, said: "It's a scary film but I really enjoyed it. My favourite part was when he had to fight the dragon. I'd like to see it again and maybe I wouldn't be so scared next time."

His sister Isabella, 10, said: "So far the Goblet Of Fire is the best film. He has to fight a dreadful fire-breathing dragon, then he has to swim in the Black Lake under water for an hour." Jack Shephard, 13, said: "With a brilliant storyline and mind-blowing special effects The Goblet of Fire is the best Harry Potter movie so far. I was on the edge of my seat."

Ray and Yolanda Queally's seven-year-old daughter Elena was frightened and covered her eyes at the end, but son Liam, 11, complained it was not long enough. Mr Queally felt the film rating was fair, but would not let children view it on their own.

Parents Gerhard and Karin Florin, from Richmond, agreed. Mrs Florin said: "It's a good film for kids, just a bit darker."

At the premiere's after-show party, Alan Parker, director of The Commitments, conceded the film was darker. "It's certainly scary for small kids, but very good, very clever."