Harry puts a spell on readers (From Stroud News and Journal)

Harry puts a spell on readers

POTTER-MANIA hit town at the stroke of midnight on Friday, with around 100 children and parents gathering outside the Stroud Children's Bookshop to buy the latest instalment - Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Many youngsters dressed as witches and wizards, and one or two mums had even got themselves a costume, or put Potter-style lightning strike scars on their foreheads

First in the queue was 14-year-old Brendan Mackenzie, who has been hooked on Harry Potter for five years.

Asked why he was queuing, he laughed and said: "I enjoyed the first few and I think JK Rowling deserves me to read the next one! Plus I've read everything else in the bookshop."

This was confirmed by his mother, who said it was Harry Potter books that got Brendan reading in the first place, and by Barbara Clarke who works in the Children's Bookshop.

"I'm pleased he was first in the queue," said Barbara. "He's always in and out for new books."

Although there were less people gathered at midnight than for the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix two years ago, sales were almost the same by the end of Saturday.

"It's been frantic," added Barbara. "It's great that so many people are willing to support an independent bookshop."

Around 300 copies had been sold by the end of the day, to children and adults, all of them delighted to have the latest instalment.