Local ladies meet stars on red carpet

Elijah Wood was really kind, said Wanganui girl Tessla Grunwald after her encounter with the film star on the red carpet in Wellington on Wednesday.

He was also short.

"He's tiny, he really is a hobbit. But very nice, we had a little talk. And he signed my arm, I didn't have any paper."

Fifteen-year-old Tessla won a nationwide radio competition to walk the red carpet at The Hobbit premiere and then be one of the first people in the world to watch the film. She chose her mother Tanja Grunwald to go with her.

Tessla said meeting Mr Wood was the highlight but she also met Andy Serkis and Prime Minister John Key.

"I saw Peter Jackson, he was right next to us."

And her verdict on his work: "It's one of those films that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was 3D and full-on. It was three hours but it seemed really short, it was amazing."

Tessla's prize included two nights at Rydges Hotel, return flights to Wellington and the prime location for star-watching on the red carpet.

"We saw the film at the Reading Cinema in Courtenay Place, there was champagne and nibbles and there were goodie bags on the seats."

Tessla and her mum flew back to Wanganui - coming down to earth from Middle-earth - last night.