5:19am UK, Tuesday June 29, 2004

Stars from the new Shrek film have turned out for its UK premiere in London. 

A green carpet was laid out for the actors - in homage to the colour of the lead character in the animated movie.

Antonia Banderas and Melanie Griffiths at the premiere

Julie Andrews, the voice of Queen Lillian, Antonio Banderas, the man behind Puss in Boots and John Cleese (King Harold) were among those in Leicester Square.

But other Shrek 2 stars like Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey) and Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), who reportedly picked up £5.5m for their parts, failed to make it to the capital. 

The actors had only met up as a team during the Cannes premiere last month, as most of their parts were recorded in tiny booths across different parts of the world. 

They were greeted by fans of the movie which has taken more than £200m, more than five times the amount it cost to make, since it was released in May in the US. 

Banderas said he took his inspiration for Puss in Boots from animals belonging to his mother-in-law. 

The 43-year-old said: "I have two cats at home but more dogs. My mother-in-law has 72 big cats and that's how I did my research." 

Cleese, 64, said: "I asked them what voice they wanted me to use, and they said we just want you to use your normal voice, and that was great. 

"It made my life easier than if they had wanted a Bulgarian or Danish accent." 

Rupert Everett, the voice of Prince Charming, and Jennifer Saunders, the Fairy Godmother, were also at the event.