Pattinson poster sparks swine flu fears

London: Fans of `Twilight` heartthrob Robert Pattinson have been banned from kissing a life-size poster of the actor for fear of spreading swine flu. Teenage girls and boys flocked to the card-board cut-out after it was unveiled at the Reel Cinema in Crewe, Cheshire, to coincide with the release of `The Twilight Saga: New Moon`, The Telegraph reported. The British actor`s fans were found kissing the poster, forcing the cinema staff to stop them from doing so to prevent spreading germs and even swine flu. The staff have stuck a note to the cut-out that reads: "Please help reduce the spread of germs by refraining from giving Edward, or any other character for that matter, a kiss or a hug." "We put the sign up because of swine flu. If people started kissing him it could spread. We have to be more careful now," said supervisor Mandy Taylor. Pattinson, who shot to overnight fame with his turn as vampire Edward Cullen in the saga, is a craze among female fans currently. "The film was so popular that our performances were sold out for the first week. The girls were coming in and having their pictures taken. They were getting a bit carried away and in the nicest possible way we said `Don`t kiss him`," Reel Cinemas Managing director Kailash Suri said. PTI