Harry Potter 'goes home' for première

J K Rowling wrote the first book in an Edinburgh cafe

Harry Potter creator J K Rowling has returned to the city where the boy wizard was born for a special charity screening of the new blockbuster movie.

Ms Rowling first wrote her books about the adventures at Hogwarts' school for wizards, while sitting in a cafe in Edinburgh with her new-born daughter Jessica at her side.

On Tuesday evening, the author made an emotional return to her adopted home for gala screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

The long-awaited film received its Scottish première at the Ster Century Cinema at Ocean Terminal in the city's Leith area.

J K Rowling: Emotional return

The author was joined by celebrities, parents and children for the charity event, expected to raise at least £25,000 for two charities chosen by Ms Rowling - MS Society, Scotland and Maggies' Cancer Care centres.

The film's producer David Heyman, director Chris Columbus and actor Sean Biggerstaff, who plays Oliver Wood, the Quidditch team leader, joined Ms Rowling for screening.

Arriving at the cinema an hour before the première, the author said it was a special night for her.

She said: "Because it's home and it's where Harry was born, so this was a very emotional moment for me."

Fifth instalment

Ms Rowling, who is pleased with the film, said she was unable to explain the magic of her books but promised her readers, young and old, that the fifth instalment would not be long in coming.

Asked when it was due, she said: "That's the question I get asked more than any and I still don't know.

"It's still not finished but I am writing very hard, so it shouldn't be too long."

Guests at Tuesday's première included television presenter Carol Smillie, journalist Kirsty Wark and author Ian Rankin.

The Hogwarts Express was filmed in the Scottish Highlands

Across the UK, advanced booking sales for the movie are already set to soar after rave reviews following Sunday's world premiere in London.

The big screen adaptation of the magical adventures of the orphaned schoolboy who escapes his life with cruel relatives to attend Hogwarts' school for wizards is one of the most eagerly awaited films for years and will go on general release across the UK on November 16.

It has already broken box office records by taking the biggest advance bookings for a movie release, topping the one million mark already.

Before finding success as a writer she had worked for Amnesty International and as a teacher in Portugal - where she married and separated from a journalist - before moving to Edinburgh, to be near her sister, where she also taught.