Fans flock to Sex & City film debut

Sex and the City fever has gripped Shropshire with thousands flocking to get their first glimpse of the blockbuster movie.

Cineworld in Shrewsbury and the Odeon in Telford reported queues stretching out of the door as the film was released in the county.

Check out our photo gallery below

Cinemagoers packed the Telford venue with more than 1,000 people, mostly women, passing through the doors.

Most of the 12 screenings held on four screens yesterday were sold-out by early evening with one at 8pm sold out a week ago.

General manager Stephen Hagon said the opening night had sold just 200 fewer tickets than for the opening of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last year.

Mr Hagon said: "I have never seen so many women in my life. I know there was a big cheer when the opening theme tune came on at the 8pm showing. There were 250 people in that screening. I have never heard a bigger cheer for a film in my life."

Lucie Poole, 26, who lives in Shrewsbury, said Cineworld was packed with women wanting to see the film.

And to celebrate its release in Shropshire last night four county women were given a glamorous Manhattan makeover for their own special screening of the film.

To celebrate the comeback of the comedy drama and its stars - Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis - the Shropshire Star joined forces with the county's style experts to give four fans a red carpet-style makeover for their own screening of the film.The hotly anticipated screen debut is set to be a box office smash and Mary Clark, from Telford, Andrea Harrison, from Ford near Shrewsbury, Elaine Neczyporczuk, from Leegomery, and Nicki Longden, from Shifnal, were among the first in the county to see it.

With the help of Rizzo Hair and Beauty and Simply Brides, both based in Wellington, Mary, Andrea, Elaine and Nicki were transformed into Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha for a girly outing to remember.

Debbie Barrett and her daughter Jade Hinton, from Rizzo, created glamorous hair dos for our four Sex and the City look-alikes, while make-up artist Liz Bell added the finishing touches for the showbiz revamp.

"The Sex and the City girls have so many fabulous looks but we went for the style that stole the show at the London premiere," said Debbie.

"We had such a giggle doing the makeover and all the girls looked so fabulous as the characters from the film. It just proves that's what women love - a chance to have some time with the girls. That's what Sex and the City is all about."

Lynda Hollington provided fabulous frocks and a flirty fascinator worthy of any red carpet before the girls headed off to the Odeon Cinema in Telford where seats were reserved for them in true A-list style.

The film marks the return of the designer divas with a particular weakness for shoes after a four-year break from the small screen.

But does it live up to the hype? We asked Shropshire's own Carrie and Co to give us their verdicts. Click on the numbers below to find out what they thought.

County Sex and the City lookalikes Nicki Longden, Elaine Neczyporczuk, Mary Clark

and Andrea Harrison after their makeover. Read on for their reactions to the new film.

Nicki Longden, 40, said she loved Samantha's ability to have lots of fun, adding that she still looked fabulous at 50."I would love to look that great at 50. "I think she's great because she is just so funny but she's also a great friend to the rest of the girls," Nicki added.

Verdict: "This was well worth the wait and certainly gave us everything you would want from a film like this. It was funny, sad and the clothes were simply divine."

Favourite Scene: During the girls' break in Mexico when Carrie laughs for the first time after facing heartbreak.

Elaine Neczyporczuk, 46, said she was also the sensible one among her friends just like level-headed lawyer Miranda. "I would be the one who would stay sober to make sure everyone got home safely. I think I can see myself in Miranda," she added.

Verdict: "I thoroughly enjoyed the film and loved the fact that its strength lies in female friendship and that all the girls in it get on so well. Of course it was lovely to see all the gorgeous clothes."

Favourite bit: "Where the characters all meet in the cocktail bar where it all started and all have a Cosmopolitan."

Mary Clark, 26, said just like love-struck Carrie she was also planning a wedding after her husband-to-be proposed after 10 years of dating. "I must admit when I saw Carrie's bouquet in the wedding scene I got a real urge to change my flowers to match hers. They looked so stunning," she added.

Verdict: "Every Sex and the City fan is going to love this film. It really takes off from where the programme ended and it brings back all the things we love about Sex and the City including the wardrobes but more importantly the friendships."

Favourite scene: "Carrie getting to know and really like her new assistant Louise, played by Jennifer Hudson."

Andrea Harrison, 42, admits she is just like Charlotte and also famous among her friends for squealing loudly at good news and being the hopeless romantic. "I'm very like Charlotte because I love to hear about people getting engaged and falling in love. I do believe in fairytales and all that romantic stuff," she added.

Verdict: "The film was absolutely fantastic. I bought myself the box set for Christmas and I love watching Sex and the City. It was so good I could go straight back in and watch it all over again."

Favourite scene: When Carrie walked into her new closet and Big was waiting for her.