IT was a ticket-only affair as some of Oxfordshire’s youngest film buffs got the red carpet treatment for a star-studded charity film première.

The regional première of Horrid Henry – the film version of the popular book and TV series – was held at the Ultimate Picture Palace, in Jeune Street, yesterday.

It was all for charity, with the cinema’s owner, Becky Hallsmith, giving up the venue for free for two screenings. Ticket sales, which could raise as much as £2,500, will go to the East Oxford hospice charity, Helen and Douglas House.

Both the screenings sold out and children and their parents queued to get a chance to be among the first to see the film, along with meeting some of its stars.

Screenwriter Lucinda Whiteley and Tony Ross, who illustrated the original Horrid Henry books, were both on hand to answer questions from fans.

And a touch of glamour was added by some of the child actors also in attendance, including Scarlett Stitt, who plays Horrid Henry’s next-door neighbour Moody Margaret, and Ross Marron, who plays his brother, Perfect Peter.

Eleven-year-old Owen Daley, from Kidlington, said he was a “very big fan” of Horrid Henry. He said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting the actors.”

Anne-Marie Watson, from Cumnor, took her children, Andrew, seven, and Emily, five, to the première.

Andrew said: “I used to watch the TV programme on a Friday at my school. We are excited.”

Stella Cohen, twins Charlotte and Lucy Hope, all nine, and Emma Wheatland, 10, all from Oxford, posed between the velvet ropes on the green carpet laid out for the guests.

Emma said: “I think I’m the biggest fan of the four of us.

“My brother’s really jealous that I’m here.”

Ms Whiteley, who lives in Oxford, said: “We’re so pleased to hold the regional première in Oxford in aid of such a remarkable charity.

“Helen and Douglas House is all about children and young people and what we do is all about entertaining young children.”

Star Scarlett Stitt said: “It’s been different to the London première, but it’s really nice.”