X-Men star Alexandra Shipp has said there are not enough "strong powerful, black female roles" in Hollywood.

The actress, 24, said she relished the chance to get to play the fiery young mutant Storm in the latest film.

Speaking at the global fan screening of X-Men: Apocalypse at the BFI Imax cinema in central London, she told the Press Association: "It is really exciting because there aren't enough strong, powerful black female roles out there, and I am really happy to be able to portray one of them."

She revealed that while she was a little daunted to step into the shoes of Halle Berry, who used to play the character, she was determined to put her own take on the comic book character.

She said: "It is very scary, but I had to tell myself 'Alex, this has to be your interpretation, it can't be a copycat of anybody else's, it has to be you'.

"So I had to stay true to that."

She joined her co-stars Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy and Oscar Isaac for the special screening on Monday night.

Hundreds of screaming fans braved the rain to catch a glimpse of their favourite X-Men stars.

Lana Condor is making her big screen debut playing the mutant Jubilee in the film.

Describing her character as a "sassy woman with youthful energy", she said it was great working with strong, powerful women like Lawrence.

She told the Press Association: "It is amazing, I am so proud to be a woman in this industry and be able to play such a strong, confident girl.

"And I think it is going to be amazing for young girls to see it as well."

Asked if she hoped other Hollywood studios would take note, she laughed and said: "That would be awesome because at the end of the day, a girl needs a job."