Stars at Sex and the City launch

Some fans had been waiting to see the stars since dawn

Hundreds of screaming fans have greeted the stars of the Sex and the City movie at its world premiere in London.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon all got a noisy reception as they arrived on the red carpet in Leicester Square.

"This is a miraculous and simply unforgettable night for all of us," Parker told the BBC.

Fans have waited four years to see the big screen version of the hugely popular TV series.

Sarah Jessica Parker arrives at the Sex and the City premiere

The film will be released in cinemas on 28 May.

'Adventure'

The crowds chanted "We want Carrie!" as Parker arrived in a green tulle and feather dress by Alexander McQueen and a headpiece by Philip Treacy.

Asked why the premiere was in London and not New York, where the series is set, she said: "This is where our bosses told us to go and we were thrilled to do so."

She told the BBC that holding the premiere in London was "an incredible way to kick off this adventure".

She added: "Then we get to bring it home to America and to its birthplace - the city that we love."

Cattrall, who plays Samantha, said she was "thrilled" to be showcasing the film in London.

"I love New York, I live there but I'm having the most amazing love affair with the UK," she added.

The star, who revealed her character turns 50 in the film, said she "hoped" there would be a sequel. However, Parker refused to be drawn into whether another one would be made.

Kim Cattrall wore a scarlet dress by Vivienne Westwood

"We are not looking past today - it would be greedy to do so," she said.

Parker's character, Carrie, has become well known for her impeccable dress sense, but she was keen to point out she does not see herself as a style icon.

'Sex and humour'

"I don't really think of myself like that. I identify myself first as a mother but I think the association with this show has a lot to do with that," she said.

Asked to explain the popularity of Sex and the City, Nixon said: "People love the wit of the show, the style of the show, they love the sex and the humour and they've really missed us."

Other celebrities on the red carpet included Vivienne Westwood, Michelle Ryan, Keeley Hawes, Martine McCutcheon and presenter Davina McCall.

Some fans had been waiting for the stars in Leicester Square since early morning.

For 30-year-old Claire Furnival from Croydon, it was worth waiting nine hours to meet her idols.

"We spoke to all the four girls. They were amazing to speak to, so down to earth," she said.

Nixon recently revealed she had been battling breast cancer

She revealed how she and her friends took it in turns to go to the toilet and get food so they did not lose their places.

Kimberley Leathem, 26, also from Croydon, said she was overjoyed to have met the stars.

"We're not going to be satisfied with just one film," she said.

When asked why she was such a fan, she said: "Because you can relate to it. It's my Bible, we've all gone through the same problems the girls have. They all inspire me."

The original TV series, which ran from 1999 to 2004, followed the love lives of four professional women in New York.

'Pursuing love'

The film sees friends Carrie (Parker), Samantha, (Cattrall), Charlotte (Davis) and Miranda (Nixon) continuing to juggle work, relationships and motherhood in their 40s.

Chris Noth, who did not attend the premiere, reprises his role as Carrie's Mr Big, David Eigenberg is Miranda's down-to-earth husband Steve, Evan Handler plays Charlotte's dependable husband Harry, and Jason Lewis makes a showing as Samantha's actor boyfriend, Smith.

Parker has said the film is about "forgiveness and pursuing love in a way that is real and meaningful" - but kept the plot under wraps.

The TV series was based on semi-autobiographical columns written by Candace Bushnell for the New York Observer.

Following the London screening, the film heads to Berlin on 15 May before finally showing in New York on 27 May.