Screaming girls and giddy teenagers flocked to a Wolverhampton cinema to see one of this year’s most hotly anticipated movies.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon, which stars British heartthrob Robert Pattinson and on screen love interest Kristen Stewart, opened at movie theatres across the country yesterday.

The film, which follows the romance between high school student Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen, and her friendship with werewolf Jacob Black, is expected to score one of the biggest opening weekends ever for a non-summer film.

Last year, the first Twilight movie took £229 million worldwide – just ahead of Oscar sensation Slumdog Millionaire.

At Cineworld in Bentley Bridge Park, Wednesfield, hundreds of teenagers queued up for the 2.30pm showing.

Melissa Cox, aged 18, of Tudor Close, Cheslyn Hay, booked tickets for the film in advance. She turned up wearing an ‘Edward’ T-shirt and Twilight bag with her mother Kim, 50.

The University of Wolverhampton student said: “I’ve read all the books and I loved the first film. I like the relationship between Bella and Edward and I really like Robert Pattinson.

“The film is a good adaptation of the book.”

Mrs Cox, 50, added “I liked the first film. Melissa has Twilight posters all over her room. She really loves it.”

Becky Gitsham, 17, of St Andrews Drive, Perton, was wearing a ‘Team Edward’ shirt and was there with friend Ellie Wood, 17.

“I love the characters in the film,” Becky said.

“I loved the first film. I like both Robert and Taylor.”

The pupil from Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth added: “There are lots of people here. I’m quite surprised it’s so busy.”

Holly Vetere, aged 13, from Donnington Lane, Albrighton, went to see the film with her cousin Isabella Hickman, 15, of Westcroft, Wolverhampton. Holly, a pupil at the Royal Wolverhampton School, said: “I saw the first film and I loved it. I’ve read all the books. I like the character Jasper in the film but Robert Pattinson is nice too.

“I’ve been really excited to see the film for ages now.”

Isabella added: “I’m a big fan of the films and books. I like Robert, he’s good looking.

“All my school mates are coming to see the film.

“I like it because it’s different to other films out there.”

It is thought that New Moon will take nearly £60m when it opens in UK. The first movie in the series made £41.8m last year.

The movie adaptations are based on the series of books by American author Stephenie Meyer.