Washington, Aug 22 : Warner Bros. have apologised to fans for delaying the release of 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' by eight months.

The angry fans had signed a petition online and campaigned against the decision of the makers to delay the release of the new Harry Potter.

The film was expected to be released in November 2008, but now it has been shifted to July 2009.

As a result of the campaign, president of Warner Bros., Alan Horn, has issued a statement apologizing to the bitterly disappointed fans.

"Many of you have written to me to express your disappointment in our moving Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince to summer 2009," Contactmusic quoted Horn, as saying.

"Please be assured that we share your love for Harry Potter and would certainly never do anything to hurt any of the films, Over the past ten years, we have nurtured and protected each film, and the integrity of the books upon which they are based, to the best of our ability, he added.

The president then thanked the fans for their support in making the Harry Potter series a huge hit and explained them the decision was not hastily made and the wait will be worthwhile.

"I am sorry to have disappointed you now, but if you hold on a little longer, I believe it will be worth the wait," he said.

ANI