Tolkien sets new record

Epic trilogy The Lord Of The Rings is the subject of the Science Museum's most popular exhibition ever staged - before it has even opened.

More than 14,000 tickets, worth £150,000, have already been sold for the show which opens tomorrow.

It lifts the lid on the science and special effects behind the films of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth. Visitors will also see the costumes, including the flowing robes of Princess Arwen, played by Liv Tyler, and the downsized outfits of the hobbits.

On the gory side are severedorc heads, wizened feet, ears and teeth and intricate armour and weapons used in the films' many battle scenes.

Two models - a five-metre high Cave Troll and a life-size Boromir (played by Sean Bean on film) were specially made for the exhibition.

An interactive exhibit explains how the characters appear to be different heights, and there are also demonstrations using computer generatedimages. Fans can even "morph" into a hobbit and take home a souvenir photograph.

Richard Taylor - who won two Oscars for the films' special effects and make-up - oversaw the transfer of the exhibition from the National Museum of New Zealand.

Organisers hope some of the actors will visit when the final film in the trilogy opens in December. The exhibition runs until 11 January. Opening hours have been extended to 9pm at weekends but advance booking is advised.