Shooting for sixth Harry Potter film underway in Gloucester Cathedral

London, Feb 8 : The filming for sixth Harry Potter movie - 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'- has commenced in Gloucester Cathedral.

Those on the set include Dan Radcliffe, who plays the eponymous hero, Alan Rickman, who plays Professor Snape, and Dame Maggie Smith, who plays Professor McGonagall.

This is the third time that the cathedral grounds and nearby King's School is being used for the Potter movie series.

"It's great for the city. When it comes to film you don't get any bigger than Harry Potter," BBC quoted City council leader Paul James, as saying.

"We get a lot of tourists coming to Gloucester as a result of the previous films being shot here. It certainly puts us on the map.

"But the filming also gives the economy a boost. Local people are hired as extras, cast and crew shop in our shops and eat in our restaurants.

"There's a real buzz in the city, especially for the youngsters, a lot of whom are big Harry Potter fans," he added.

More than 170 students from King's School, aged 11 to 18, are starring as extras in the multi million-pound production based on the JK Rowling-penned book.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "We're obviously thrilled to be hosting the sixth film. Some of the sixth-formers were in the previous films, so they've grown up with Harry Potter.

"There's a real buzz at the school, it's a fantastic time," she added.

Production for 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' began in the UK last September.

ANI