12:50pm UK, Friday December 12, 2003

Lord of The Rings fever gripped Leicester Square as 10,000 fans turned out for the final instalment in the Tolkien trilogy.

Liv Tyler: Gig date

After months of hype and anticipation the third film, Return of the King - all 3 hours 20 minutes of it - received its British premiere.

And a record-sized crowd was there to greet stars Liv Tyler and Sir Ian McKellen as they brought the magic of Middle Earth to a damp and chilly London.

Many had camped overnight in order to bag a prime spot, and by the time the cast arrived the crowds were eight deep.

It was the biggest turnout ever for a British premiere and fans even gathered in neighbouring streets in the hope of catching a glimpse of the stars.

Tyler and Sir Ian were joined on the red carpet by Billy Boyd, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis and director Peter Jackson.

All were overwhelmed by the reception and Sir Ian said: "I'm told it's the biggest crowd there has ever been for the premiere of a film, and considering this is the third Lord of the Rings movie it's simply amazing."

New Zealander Jackson said: "This reception is just amazing."

But there was one big disappointment for female fans lining the red carpet - star Orlando Bloom could not attend because he was away filming.

Tyler confessed she wouldn't be sitting through the screening.

"I'm not watching it. I'm going to the Brixton Academy to see the Kings of Leon," she confided.