Spider-Mania sees rush for tickets

Thousands of advance ticket sales for the multimillion-dollar Hollywood remake of Spider-Man have been snapped up ahead of its British premiere next week.

Cinemas report 80 per cent of sales via the internet for the first general screenings of the movie from 14 June. It has smashed box office records in America where it became the first film to take $100 million in its opening weekend, beating Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Warner Village Cinemas has already sold 6,200 ticket sales nationwide. A spokesman said: "It isn't as high as Star Wars but we expect a huge surge once the publicity kicks in."

Odeon West End, venue for the premiere on 5 June, is having 10 showings a day. Meanwhile, the entire UK stock of Spider-Man figures is expected to sell out before the film is released. Makers Vivid Imaginations predict £30million sales this year.

The Spider-Man Web Blaster is also expected to sell 500,000 units in the next month.

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