Film makers have returned to Oxford to inject more of the city's flavour into the eagerly-awaited first movie of Philip Pullman's trilogy.

Crowds gathered to watch as crews set up to take more footage around the Radcliffe Camera on Friday for The Golden Compass, the first instalment based on Mr Pullman's His Dark Materials novels.

Susan Darcy, the unit publicist for the film, was quick to express her gratitude towards the city and Oxford University.

She said: "We came to Oxford last year to do the bulk of the filming, but we've had to come back to get some additional shots that we felt would add to the movie.

"We wanted to add a bit more Oxford. We've been terribly well served by Oxford and it's a fantastic city to film in.

"We've also had a lot of support from Philip Pullman, who lives locally, during the filming in terms of consultation. It's been a real joy to shoot it here."

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass, is the first movie adaptation of the trilogy of fantasy novels by Mr Pullman.

It will feature Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, Kevin Bacon and 12-year-old newcomer Dakota Blue Richards, in the role of main character Lyra Belacqua.

More than 10,000 girls turned out to auditions in Oxford, Cambridge and Exeter.

Miss Richards was given the role after being personally endorsed by Mr Pullman, who saw tapes of her audition in Cambridge.

Passersby watched as extras, dressed as Majesterial Guards, marched around Radcliffe Square and into Lincoln College.

Becka Greige, 19, a student at Magdalen College, said: "It's been really interesting watching them film today and I can't wait to see these scenes in the finished movie.

"I love the Philip Pullman's books and to think that I go to college in the city that inspired him is fantastic."

John Harrington, 23, from Cowley, said: "I'm going to see if I can get into one of the scenes if possible. It would be awesome to get into the movie.

"These books have been huge and I think that the movie will be really successful as well. So to get into it at some point would be a really cool thing to be able to tell your mates."