Liu, Diaz and Barrymore drew a big crowd

Locals and tourists thronged around the Odeon Cinema on Tuesday evening to see the arrival of the movie's stars Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu.

Many had been waiting several hours to see the Hollywood stars and they were not disappointed - even though the trio arrived fashionably late.

They turned up in style in blackened limousines and then walked down a pink carpet, instead of the traditional red one.

I loved the first film. The action was brilliant and I'll definitely be going to see this second movie when it comes out Sammi Laslett, Charlie's Angels fan

They were glamorously dressed in evening wear and Diaz also sported a turquoise trilby.

All three took time to sign autographs and wave at fans before entering the cinema, as bubbles - blown from a machine over the cinema's entrance - floated across and onto the crowd.

Diaz, Barrymore and Liu are reunited in the sequel based on the popular 1970s television series.

They play secret agents with a mission to discover every person on the US witness protection programme.

Sammi Laslett and Jess Henig are Cameron Diaz fans

Sammi Laslett, 14, and Jess Henig, 13, both from London had come straight from school to get a glimpse of the stars.

"I loved the first film. The action was brilliant and I'll definitely be going to see this second movie when it comes out," Ms Laslett told News Online.

WAITING FOR THE ANGELS Fans gather outside the UK premiere of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. In pictures

She added that, of the three lead actresses, Diaz was her favourite.

"She's someone I can look up to, she is a big inspiration to me. I'm into drama and acting and I think she is a brilliant actress."

Box office

Audrey Wong, 25, and Natalie Chang, 25, both from Toronto were realising an ambition in being in the crowd of a movie premi�re while in London.

And Ms Wong, who had already managed to see Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, generally gave it the thumbs-up.

The actors all starred in the first film

"The storyline is not the greatest but it is a fun movie with great clothes. It is very bubbly and very happy and the three girls are great," said Ms Wong.

Both said they hoped to see lots of stars but were enjoying simply lapping up the atmosphere just as much.

Most of the area around the cinema was cordoned off with barriers. Lots of fans got on each others' shoulders to get a better view.

However, those trying to stand on public benches or railings were told to get down by police officers for safety reasons.

The US premi�re took place in Los Angeles last month. Guests included pop star Pink, who wrote the film's soundtrack, P Diddy and Friends actor Matt LeBlanc, who has a role in the film.

The film went straight in at number one in the US box office chart at the weekend, taking $38m (�23m).

However, the takings were $2.1m (�1.3m) down on the opening figures for the first film in November 2000 despite opening in more cinemas than the original.

The first movie went on to gross $125 million (�75.5m) in total.

The sequel's cast also includes Demi Moore, a "fallen" Angel, and Bernie Mac, who replaces Bill Murray as the character Bosley.

The film opens across the UK on 4 July.