Potter pirates to face hi-tech trap

A touch of hi-tech magic is being used to trap people sneaking into the latest Harry Potter movie to make pirate video copies.

Night vision goggles are being issued to a chain of cinemas showing Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban.

Usherettes in Vue Cinemas walk up and down the aisles during screenings to check for anyone making illicit recordings.

Cinema manager Jamie Graham said the measure was taken because of the extraordinary popularity of the film. His cinema in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, sold 6,500 advance tickets for the children's fantasy blockbuster before the first day of its British release yesterday.

He said: 'It is an incredible response and it makes you realise why distributors are so keen to protect the film from pirates. Anybody caught will be reported to the police.'